Journalists must adopt artificial intelligence and data-driven methods or risk falling behind in a fast-changing media environment, industry leaders said at a training programme in Abuja on Tuesday.
The session, organized by Chevron Nigeria Limited and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council, focused on how AI is reshaping news production-from gathering and verifying information to analyzing data and investigating stories. Speakers cautioned that while the technology offers speed and precision, it must be used responsibly to maintain public trust.
AI as a newsroom tool, not a replacement
Grace Ike, Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council, told attendees that AI has become essential for processing large volumes of information quickly. "Artificial Intelligence is no longer a distant concept but a powerful tool reshaping how we gather, verify and deliver news," she said.
She pointed to AI's role in detecting deepfakes and cross-referencing claims against trusted databases, especially during elections and health crises. "AI enhances our ability to analyze vast data, detect misinformation and engage audiences more effectively," Ike said. "With the rise of misinformation, AI-powered platforms cross-reference claims against trusted databases and detect manipulated media like deepfakes."
Chevron points to years of investment in journalism training
Olusoga Oduselu, General Manager of Policy, Government and Public Affairs at Chevron Nigeria Limited, represented by Communications Manager Victor Anyaegbudike, said the company views journalists as critical partners in national development. "We believe in the value derivable from developing human capital," Oduselu said.
He noted that since 2014, more than 120 media professionals have attended Chevron-sponsored programmes at Pan-Atlantic University, while over 180 journalists have taken part in the company's zonal media capacity-building initiatives. "As members of the fourth estate of the realm, your role as agenda-setters and opinion moulders cannot be over-emphasised," he said.
Why this matters for writers
The push to embed AI in reporting hits directly at the core tasks writers perform daily: verifying facts, analyzing complex datasets, and producing clear, accurate copy on deadline. Relying solely on traditional methods now carries the risk of slower output and vulnerability to well-disguised misinformation. Writers who build skills in prompt engineering, automated fact-checking, and data extraction can strengthen their reporting and save hours of manual work. The training emphasis in Abuja signals that newsrooms and corporate backers see these as essential, not optional, competencies.
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