The newly inaugurated Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, Comrade Akeem Abas, has announced that journalists in the state will begin a series of Artificial Intelligence (AI) training sessions by mid-January 2026. The initiative is designed to equip media professionals with modern digital skills and enhance newsroom productivity.
Abas made the disclosure on Thursday morning while featuring on a live programme on New Frontier Television, a cable station owned by the Nigerian Baptist Convention.
He said the council is committed to repositioning journalism practice in the state through exposure to emerging technologies.
In a statement by the Secretary of the Council, Dayo Adu, the NUJ chairman explained that the forthcoming training would cover AI tools for content creation, data analysis, fact-checking, multimedia enhancement, and audience engagement.
According to him, acquiring such skills has become necessary as journalism continues to evolve globally as it would ensure relevance on the job while exposing them to explore alternative income
He added that the Oyo NUJ leadership is already perfected its discussions with technology experts that will facilitate the training series, noting that the programme would run in batches to ensure that every chapel in the council benefits.
Abas also reiterated his administration’s resolve to prioritise professional development, welfare, and inclusiveness among journalists in the state, adding that the union would continue to embrace innovative ideas that can elevate standards and strengthen credibility within the media space.
The chairman assured members that more capacity-building programmes would be introduced in the coming months, expressing optimism that the AI training would set the tone for a transformative year for journalists in Oyo State.
