The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has rejected the resignation of its Hausa Service Editor, Aliyu Abdullahi Tanko, who was suspended earlier this week over allegations of workplace harassment.
Tanko was reportedly handed a three-month suspension on Wednesday following petitions from former and current staff accusing him of misconduct. However, less than 24 hours later, he tendered his resignation, which the BBC declined to accept.
The development comes in the wake of a viral video featuring former BBC staff member, Halima Umar Salah, who alleged workplace harassment during her time at the organization. While Salah did not mention any specific name, her claims sparked public outrage of the corporation’s handling of workplace issues.
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According to insider sources quoted by SolaceBase, Tanko’s resignation was rejected because it failed to comply with BBC’s established procedures. “The resignation was rejected on the ground that it did not follow due process. As a senior staff member, he is required to give two months’ notice or pay two months’ salary in lieu of notice. The same applies if the organisation decides to terminate his service,” the source revealed.
It was further disclosed that the BBC has launched a full-scale investigation into multiple petitions signed against Tanko by both former staff and current employees within the Hausa Service. The probe, according to reports, was personally ordered by Jonathan Munro, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of BBC News and BBC News Global Director.
The situation has placed the BBC Hausa Service under unprecedented scrutiny, raising questions about accountability, staff welfare, and the credibility of its editorial leadership as the harassment claims continue to dominate discussions across Nigeria’s media space.
