President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has raised alarm over the growing threats posed by artificial intelligence (AI) and deepfake technology to democracy, national unity, and media integrity in Nigeria.
Speaking through the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, at the 70th Anniversary Gala of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Abuja, President Tinubu urged media professionals to recommit to ethical journalism in an era of rising digital deception.
“The rise of generative AI and deepfakes poses a direct challenge to credible journalism. In this era, ethical journalism is not just important, it is essential,” he stated.
The President’s warning comes amid growing global concern over the manipulation of images, videos, and audio using AI, which has been used to spread disinformation and erode public trust in democratic institutions.
As part of efforts to combat this threat, Tinubu announced the establishment of a UNESCO-partnered Category-2 Media and Information Literacy Institute in Abuja. The facility aims to train journalists and citizens alike to spot fake content, verify facts, and foster a culture of media accountability.
Minister Idris, who also served as Chief Host of the NUJ anniversary, reaffirmed the President’s enduring support for press freedom, describing Tinubu as a longtime ally of the media, dating back to the June 12 democratic struggle.
“The media must take the lead in telling the story of Nigeria’s democratic achievements—in governance reforms, infrastructure growth, civic engagement, and socio-economic development,” Idris said.
Veteran journalist and elder statesman Chief Olusegun Osoba, speaking at the event, called for urgent reforms to clean up the journalism profession. He demanded the establishment of a verifiable NUJ membership database to weed out impostors and fake journalists, warning that the credibility of the media industry was under threat.
Reflecting on his own journey from analogue to digital journalism, Osoba urged reporters to embrace innovation while upholding the values of truth, accuracy, and public interest.
NUJ President Comrade Alhassan Yahaya, in his remarks, described the union’s 70-year legacy as a testament to patriotism, professionalism, and unwavering advocacy for democracy. He urged journalists to report ethically, especially during periods of national conflict and insecurity.
“Our 70th anniversary is more than just a commemoration of our past—it is a rallying cry for the future we envision,” Yahaya said.
The Chairman of the NUJ@70 Planning Committee, Dr. Abimbola Oyetunde, hailed the success of the celebration as a symbolic affirmation of journalism’s continuing relevance in Nigeria’s national journey.