Nigerian journalists have been urged to embrace artificial intelligence (AI) and data-driven journalism to remain relevant in an increasingly digital media landscape, as industry leaders warned that newsrooms risk falling behind without rapid technological adaptation.
The call was made on Tuesday during a media capacity-building programme organised by Chevron Nigeria Limited in collaboration with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, in Abuja.
Participants said AI is transforming journalism globally by enhancing news gathering, fact-checking, data analysis and investigative reporting, while stressing that the technology must be deployed responsibly to preserve editorial integrity, ethics and public trust.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council, Grace Ike, described artificial intelligence as a transformative force reshaping every stage of the news production process.
“Artificial Intelligence is no longer a distant concept but a powerful tool reshaping how we gather, verify and deliver news,” she said.
According to her, AI enables journalists to process large volumes of information with greater speed and accuracy, improving reporting quality and audience engagement.
“AI enhances our ability to analyze vast data, detect misinformation and engage audiences more effectively. It offers unprecedented opportunities to improve the speed, accuracy and reach of our reporting,” Ike said.
She noted that with the growing threat of fake news, disinformation and manipulated digital content, AI-powered tools have become increasingly important in safeguarding information integrity, particularly during elections and public health emergencies.
“With the rise of misinformation, especially during elections and public health crises, AI-powered platforms cross-reference claims against trusted databases and detect manipulated media like deepfakes,” she added.
While encouraging journalists to embrace emerging technologies, Ike cautioned that artificial intelligence should complement—not replace—professional editorial judgment.
“Embracing AI comes with ethical responsibilities. We must ensure transparency in AI algorithms and guard against biases that could skew reporting,” she said.
She urged media practitioners to adopt innovation responsibly while upholding the core values of journalism.
“Let us embrace innovation boldly but responsibly, ensuring that technology enhances our mission to inform, enlighten and serve society with courage and integrity,” she added.
Also speaking, General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs at Chevron Nigeria Limited, Olusoga Oduselu, represented by the company’s Communications Manager, Victor Anyaegbudike, reaffirmed Chevron’s commitment to strengthening journalism through sustained investment in media capacity development.
“We believe in the value derivable from developing human capital,” Oduselu said.
He described journalists as indispensable partners in national development, noting that their influence in shaping public discourse remains critical.
“As members of the fourth estate of the realm, your role as agenda-setters and opinion moulders cannot be over-emphasised,” he said.
Oduselu disclosed that Chevron has consistently invested in professional journalism training through strategic partnerships, revealing that more than 120 media professionals have benefited from Chevron-sponsored programmes at Pan-Atlantic University since 2014, while over 180 journalists have participated in the company’s zonal media capacity-building initiatives.
He urged participants to apply the knowledge gained to promote factual, balanced and development-oriented reporting.
“Continue to make your mark in the narrative of Nigeria and her multidimensional development while maintaining the ethical principles that guide your noble profession,” he said.
The training focused on the application of artificial intelligence, data journalism and emerging digital tools to improve newsroom productivity, strengthen investigative reporting and enhance coverage of Nigeria’s energy sector.
Participants were encouraged to leverage AI for research, transcription, trend analysis and data visualisation, while ensuring that editorial decisions remain firmly under human supervision.
The programme comes as Nigeria’s media industry grapples with declining advertising revenues, the rapid spread of misinformation and the disruptive impact of artificial intelligence on traditional journalism.
Speakers noted that while leading international news organisations have successfully integrated AI into newsroom operations to support transcription, data analysis, audience engagement and content production under strict editorial oversight, adoption in Nigeria remains at an early stage due to limited resources, inadequate digital infrastructure and a shortage of specialised skills.
The Chevron-NUJ initiative was widely described as a timely intervention aimed at equipping Nigerian journalists with the digital competencies needed to compete in the evolving media ecosystem while reinforcing ethical journalism and public confidence in an era of rapidly changing information technology.
