AI Boom, Training Bust: Only 10% of Nigerian Journalists Skilled in Emerging Tools – SMI

AI Boom, Training Bust: Only 10% of Nigerian Journalists Skilled in Emerging Tools – SMI

By Auwal Ahmad

A new industry insight has revealed a widening gap between the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence and the capacity of Nigerian journalists to use the technology responsibly, with just a fraction of newsroom professionals receiving formal training.

This was disclosed in Abuja on Thursday by Peter Iorter, Executive Director of the Safer Media Initiative (SMI), during a capacity-building session for media practitioners focused on the ethical and effective deployment of AI tools.

The workshop, themed “AI Tools for Journalists: Effective, Responsible and Safe Use”, is part of SMI’s broader Artificial Intelligence and Media (AIM) Project, designed to equip journalists with the competencies required in a fast-evolving digital landscape.

According to Iorter, recent findings indicate that while an overwhelming majority of journalists already rely on AI in their daily work, only about 10 per cent have undergone structured training on its application.

He warned that the mismatch between usage and knowledge poses serious risks to journalism, particularly in areas such as accuracy, accountability, and professional ethics.

“Artificial intelligence is reshaping the global media ecosystem at a rapid pace. While it offers immense opportunities, it must be approached with caution and guided by ethical standards,” he said.

Iorter stressed that the absence of adequate training could lead to misuse of AI tools, potentially eroding public trust in the media if not urgently addressed through institutional policies and capacity development.

He explained that the Abuja training aims to close this knowledge gap by equipping journalists with practical skills to use AI responsibly, without compromising editorial integrity.

“Our goal is to ensure Nigerian journalists are not only keeping up with global trends but are also using these tools in a way that upholds the credibility of the profession,” he added.

The initiative, he noted, is being supported by UNESCO under its International Programme for the Development of Communication, with a key objective of developing newsroom guidelines for AI usage.

Iorter pointed out that many media organisations currently lack clear policies governing the integration of AI into editorial processes, making it imperative to establish standards that balance innovation with responsibility.

Also speaking at the session, Titilope Oparinde, a facilitator and founder of Generative AI Journalism, encouraged journalists to embrace AI as a supportive tool rather than a threat.

She noted that while AI can enhance productivity—through functions such as transcription, translation and content summarisation—it cannot replace human judgement, editorial discretion or ethical reasoning.

“Journalists who understand how to use AI will remain relevant. Those who ignore it risk being left behind,” she said, urging continuous learning within the profession.

In his contribution, Oluseyi Olufemi, Country Director of Dataphyte, underscored the importance of verifying information generated with AI tools.

He advised journalists to maintain their role as custodians of truth by rigorously fact-checking all AI-assisted outputs before publication.

Olufemi also highlighted the dual role of AI in both combating misinformation and introducing new digital safety concerns, including vulnerabilities that may disproportionately affect women and other groups.

The training forms part of ongoing efforts to promote responsible AI adoption and strengthen digital safety practices across newsrooms in Nigeria, as the media industry continues to navigate the intersection of technology and journalism.