Profile: Mallam El-Said Yakubu Lere - Board Chairman, Kaduna State Media Corporation (KSMC)

Profile: Mallam El-Said Yakubu Lere - Board Chairman, Kaduna State Media Corporation (KSMC)

Mallam El-Said Yakubu Lere stands as one of Northern Nigeria’s most experienced and principled media professionals. With a career spanning decades in journalism, broadcasting, and public communication, he has played a defining role in shaping how information is shared, understood, and used to foster civic engagement in Kaduna State and beyond.

As the current Board Chairman of the Kaduna State Media Corporation (KSMC), Mallam Lere brings a rare blend of newsroom experience, policy insight, and strategic communication expertise. His appointment reflects a deliberate move by the Kaduna State Government to reinvigorate the state’s public media institutions and align them with modern standards of journalism, public service broadcasting, and digital innovation.

Before assuming his present role, Mallam Lere served as Executive Director (Radio) of KSMC, where he championed professional ethics, program quality, and staff development. His tenure left a strong mark on the corporation’s operations particularly in ensuring that KSMC’s radio arm remained relevant, credible, and responsive to public needs.

He is best known, however, as the pioneer of Liberty Radio Kaduna, one of the region’s first private stations to merge community-oriented programming with national discourse. Under his leadership, Liberty Radio became a household name, amplifying local voices, promoting transparency, and deepening the reach of independent media in Northern Nigeria. His pioneering effort not only broadened access to reliable information but also set a benchmark for content diversity and civic-driven journalism.

Beyond his official duties, he has built a reputation as a media consultant and mentor, advising institutions and young journalists on ethical reporting, media strategy, and content development. His contributions to Nigeria’s broadcast landscape reflect both his professional discipline and his belief that the media must serve as a public good one that informs, educates, and empowers.

Under his leadership at KSMC, there is a clear emphasis on revitalizing public broadcasting-modernizing infrastructure, enhancing staff capacity, and deepening the corporation’s connection with communities across Kaduna State. His vision is rooted in strengthening KSMC’s dual role as both a public information platform and a professional media institution capable of competing in a dynamic, digital environment.

Respected for his integrity and calm authority, Mallam El-Said Yakubu Lere represents the bridge between traditional broadcast values and the evolving demands of 21st-century media. His work continues to reaffirm the essential role of communication in governance, accountability, and community development.

Bottom line: Lere’s career reflects dedication to truth, service, and progress. His leadership of KSMC signals not just continuity but transformation-anchored in experience, guided by principle, and driven by a deep belief in the power of responsible media to shape a better society.