By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Lafia
The Nigeria Union of Journalists has trained 80 practicing journalists in Nasarawa State on the growing role of Artificial Intelligence in modern journalism and media practice.
The one-day workshop, held in Lafia on Wednesday, brought together reporters, editors and broadcasters from across the state to explore how AI is transforming news gathering, production and dissemination.
The training focused on equipping media professionals with practical skills for using AI tools to improve accuracy, efficiency and ethical reporting, while also addressing concerns surrounding misinformation, ethics and job displacement in the media industry.
Speaking at the event, Abdullahi Sule urged journalists to embrace Artificial Intelligence responsibly, noting that the technology could strengthen journalism when deployed ethically and purposefully.
Represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs, Peter Ahemba, the governor described the workshop as timely in view of the rapid changes reshaping the global media landscape.
“The use of AI and the training to master its responsible application cannot be overemphasized,” Sule said. “AI is like a two-edged sword. There are positives and negatives. It depends on how it is used. If deployed positively, it will produce positive results.”
The governor commended the NUJ leadership in the state for organising the workshop, describing it as a valuable legacy for journalists under the current administration of the union.
Sule disclosed that his administration had already invested in AI and digital skills development through a partnership with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, which recently trained 100 youths in Artificial Intelligence and data analytics.
According to him, the initiative places Nasarawa among states preparing their citizens for emerging technological realities and future opportunities.
He assured journalists of continued collaboration with government on professional training and capacity building, while also pledging sustained support for a safe environment for media practice.
“Your security must continue to receive the attention it deserves because you need a secure environment to practise without hitches,” he stated.
The governor further urged journalists to help reduce political tension ahead of the 2027 general elections through responsible and balanced reporting.
“This is the time we need responsible journalism most because you have a role to play in dousing tension,” he added.
In his welcome address, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Mohammed Salihu Alkali, said the workshop was designed to prepare journalists for the realities of a rapidly evolving digital media ecosystem.
“Today is not just another day on the calendar; it is a deliberate step by our union to equip ourselves with the knowledge, tools and mindset required to remain relevant, credible and competitive,” Alkali said.
He noted that AI tools are already transforming major global and Nigerian newsrooms, including BBC, Al Jazeera, Premium Times and TheCable, through functions such as headline generation, interview transcription, data analysis and content personalisation.
“The question is no longer whether AI will affect journalism in Nasarawa State and Nigeria. The question is how well we understand and use it ethically and productively rather than allowing it to control us,” he said.
Alkali added that AI could assist journalists in verifying information faster, analysing government budgets and election data, translating content for wider audiences and automating routine newsroom tasks, while stressing that ethics, fairness, accuracy and accountability must remain the foundation of journalism.
