Popular Nigerian sports broadcaster Vikoko, widely known as Radio Commander, has officially announced his departure from Super FM 96.3, bringing an end to a six-year run at the station and his time as host of Sports Vibes.

For listeners who made the 5 p.m. weekday programme part of their routine, the announcement answers a question that had been hanging around for some time. Vikoko had been absent from the station, prompting questions from listeners about his whereabouts. He has now broken his silence in an emotional farewell message to his audience and the wider Sports Vibes family.

“I know you’ve been asking about my whereabouts, and I’m sorry I kept you in the dark for so long,” he wrote.

According to Vikoko, saying goodbye publicly took longer than expected because of what the programme and its listeners had come to mean to him. Six years of sports arguments, analysis, banter, criticism and conversations had created something bigger than another slot on the radio schedule.

Sports Vibes aired every weekday at 5 p.m. and became a familiar meeting point for sports followers in Ogun State. Vikoko said the programme was ranked the most-listened-to sports programme on radio in Ogun State by MPS ratings for five consecutive years, an achievement he credited largely to listeners who continued to tune in and participate in the conversations.

Those listeners were central to his farewell. He thanked the men, women and children who followed the programme over the years, describing their loyalty as one of the reasons Sports Vibes grew into what it became.

His departure, however, does not appear to be a departure from sports media entirely.

Vikoko said he is currently uncertain whether he will return to radio, but made it clear that his work around Nigerian sports will continue. He still describes himself as a “Sports Evangelist” and said he is moving into new ventures across sports and media, with a continued interest in promoting excellence and contributing to the development of Nigerian sports.

That leaves an interesting question about what comes next for Radio Commander. For now, what is certain is that one chapter has closed. After six years behind the microphone at Super FM, Vikoko has officially signed off.

“Thank you for six unforgettable years. Thank you for listening. Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for making Sports Vibes what it became. I WILL MISS YOU!” he wrote.

For the audience that spent countless weekday evenings listening, arguing and sometimes disagreeing with Radio Commander, the voice may have left the 5 p.m. slot, but the relationship built around Sports Vibes will be harder to switch off.