The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, Mr. Akeem Abas, has said Artificial Intelligence (AI) will only replace journalists who refuse to update their digital skills and embrace emerging technologies in the profession.
Abas made the assertion while delivering his address at a two-day Artificial Intelligence training organised for 120 journalists by the NUJ Oyo State Council in collaboration with the American Open University, Nigeria.
Speaking on the theme, “Empowering Journalists with Artificial Intelligence for Ethical, Innovative and Future-ready Journalism,” Abas said a digitally empowered journalist poses no threat to national development but remains a strategic partner in nation-building.
According to him, journalists equipped with AI competence can expand their relevance by functioning as media consultants, data analysts, content strategists and communication advisers to governments, institutions and the private sector. He added that such professionals could also establish media and technology startups, fact-checking platforms, investigative journalism labs and AI-assisted news platforms.
Abas noted that journalists could further serve as policy advisers and public communication experts, supporting public institutions with research-based insights, public engagement strategies and evidence-driven narratives.
He stressed that the training was “not an act of charity but a deliberate investment in capacity building.
“This vision aligns squarely with Nigeria’s Digital Economy Agenda, which prioritises digital skills, innovation, entrepreneurship and human capital development as drivers of national growth,” Abas said.
“AI will not replace journalists; it will only replace journalists who refuse to learn.”
He urged participants to move beyond routine reporting to analytical and solution-oriented journalism, calling on them to interrogate data, interpret policies and enlighten citizens in ways that strengthen democracy and accountability.
“A technologically competent press is not a luxury; it is a national necessity,” he added.
In his remarks, the Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, described the emergence of AI as a positive development but warned that, like other global innovations, it could be misused.
He said AI had become an integral part of modern journalism and governance.
“In Oyo State, the success of the Seyi Makinde-led administration is anchored on the deliberate use of science and data in governance,” Oyelade said.
Also speaking, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the American Open University, Nigeria, Dr. Seyi Akanbi, described AI as a solution when deployed by responsible professionals, identifying misinformation, disinformation and propaganda as major threats to journalism.
He urged journalists to adopt AI tools for content integrity, social responsibility, professional excellence and innovation.
