The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, Akeem Abas, has said that Artificial Intelligence will only replace journalists who fail to update their digital and technological skills.
Abas made the statement in Ibadan on Wednesday at a two-day Artificial Intelligence training organised by the NUJ Oyo State Council in collaboration with the American Open University, Nigeria.
The training, themed “Empowering Journalists with Artificial Intelligence for Ethical, Innovative and Future-ready Journalism,” brought together 120 journalists from across the state.
According to Abas, journalists equipped with digital and AI skills pose no threat to national development but instead serve as strategic partners in nation-building. He noted that AI-competent journalists can evolve into media consultants, offering data analysis, content strategy and communication advisory services to governments, institutions and the private sector.
He added that journalists could also establish media and technology startups, fact-checking platforms, investigative journalism labs, digital storytelling studios, local data hubs and AI-powered news platforms serving niche audiences.
Abas further explained that journalists can function as policy advisers and public communication experts, providing research-based insights, public engagement strategies and evidence-driven narratives to government agencies and development institutions.
He stressed that the training was not a charitable exercise but a deliberate capacity-building initiative aligned with Nigeria’s Digital Economy Agenda, which prioritises innovation, digital skills, entrepreneurship and human capital development.
“As Nigeria moves towards a knowledge-based economy, journalists must not be left behind. During our electioneering campaign, we promised policy-driven unionism beyond symbolism. This training is a fulfilment of that promise.
“Artificial Intelligence will not replace journalists; it will only replace journalists who refuse to learn,” Abas said.
He urged participants to move beyond routine reporting to analytical, data-driven and solution-oriented journalism, adding that a technologically competent press is essential for transparency, accountability and democratic growth.
“Journalism has survived every technological disruption because it adapts without losing its soul. AI must amplify human judgment, not replace it, and must serve democracy, not undermine it,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, described the emergence of AI as a positive development, while cautioning that it could also be misused by online users for harmful purposes.
Oyelade noted that AI has become an integral part of modern journalism and governance, citing the Seyi Makinde-led administration’s reliance on data and science in governance. He disclosed that digitisation in the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development had blocked financial leakages, reduced fraud and helped boost the state’s Internally Generated Revenue to ₦103 billion in 2025, exceeding the combined IGR of the previous two administrations.
He urged journalists to fully utilise the knowledge gained from the training for both personal and professional development and commended the NUJ executives for organising the programme shortly after assuming office.
Also speaking, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of American Open University, Nigeria, Dr Seyi Akanbi, described AI as a powerful tool when used responsibly. He identified misinformation, disinformation and propaganda as major threats to journalism and encouraged journalists to deploy AI for accuracy, content integrity, innovation and professional excellence.
Akanbi also advised journalists to collaborate with organisations such as Google to establish fact-checking platforms to promote credibility and accuracy in reporting.
Elijah Adeyemi
