By: Lauretta Fagbohun, Abeokuta.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security, Senator Shuaib Salis, has called for urgent reforms in Nigerian journalism to align with the realities of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technology, warning that failure to adapt could deepen quackery in the profession.
Speaking with journalists and guests at the Opening Ceremony of Ogun State 2025 Press week, Salis stressed that journalism and mass communication curricula must embed technology at the core. While students should be equipped for a tech driven future, he said practising journalists must also embrace continuous capacity building. He revealed plans to partner with the Ogun State Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) on the deployment of AI tools and training.
The senator underscored the need for self-regulation and professional differentiation in an era where digital content often blurs authenticity. “AI should be an enabler, not a replacer,” he cautioned, urging journalists to uphold objectivity, preserve unique styles, and safeguard credibility against the rising tide of clout-chasing publications.
He also encouraged collaboration among smaller media houses, arguing that mergers and partnerships would strengthen platforms, enhance credibility, and attract advertising revenue.
On infrastructure, Salis disclosed that the Federal Government, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is set to deploy 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic broadband nationwide. He said the project would extend high-speed internet access to every ward across the country, noting that studies show a 10 percent increase in broadband penetration can raise GDP by at least two percent.
The senator added that the government is also pushing a new National Digital Economy and E-Government Bill to replace outdated analogue laws. The bill, he explained, will legally recognise electronic transactions, digital signatures, and online documents, thus modernising Nigeria’s regulatory environment.
Highlighting Nigeria’s global strides in technology, Salis noted that the country is ranked among the top ten nations with a national AI strategy, developed through the AI Collective with contributions from experts at home and abroad.
“With technology embedded in journalism, nationwide fibre optic expansion, and a robust AI framework, Nigeria is on the cusp of a digital revolution,” he concluded.
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