General News
The Emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Challenges of Modern Newsrooms: Implications for Nigerian Journalists
By Felix Elele
The emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) is one of the outcomes of the digital disruptions of this era. The disruptive effects of sundry technological innovations such as virtual reality, artificial intelligence and blockchain have changed all facets of human endeavour and the creative industry is not an exception.
The impact of these disruptive technologies on the creative industry is an area of growing interest to media practitioners. One segment of the creative economy that has integrated AI into its creation process is journalism. It serves as a model of how technology could be applied to various forms of creative expression in the future.
It is no more news that the advent of the internet has revolutionised the way every facet of life operates globally including the practice of journalism.
Accordingly, media organisations are strategizing on how to navigate the threats posed by the emergence of AI and reposition themselves to take advantage of the opportunities. It is inherent that with the help of AI programs, the art of storytelling is becoming more and more scientific.
Hadi Rashedi, Ku Leaven and Hossen Mosalapoor in their paper titled “Exploring the future of modern journalism with artificial intelligence”, stated that AI software developers are using their extensive knowledge of linguistics and natural language to explore narrative and turn data analytics insights from data silos into digestible narratives in seconds.
This has ushered a new era and paradigm shift in journalism practice known as Robotic Journalism. They further posited that Robotic Journalism is based on two pillars: computer software that automatically extracts new knowledge from huge data silos and algorithms that automatically convert this knowledge and insights into readable stories without human intervention.
In this new era, commercial firms have AI algorithms that write thousands of journalistic reports without humans. For obvious economic and business strategy reasons, the adoption of robot journalism is rapidly growing and will be a disruptor in the journalism practice, as it is known today.
Recent developments have shown that efficient new robot journalists will challenge traditional journalists. Aside from significant personnel cost reductions, these robot journalists are factual, are never fatigued, and are free of bias if programmed objectively.
Christoph Trattner and his team in an article titled “Responsible media technology and AI: challenges and research directions” published in 2021 have argued that new competition in the media industry is an undeniable fact and an inevitable effect of the disruptive effects of digitalisation and new economic models.
They argue that traditional media outlets and their long-standing editorial practices are losing ground to up-and-coming firms that have successfully filled a niche in the media market by anticipating and targeting specific consumer demands.
For instance, fnn.no has become Norway’s primary classified ads platform, a sector previously dominated by traditional media; Twitter has become a major debate platform, bypassing traditional media; Facebook appears to provide far more insight into people’s lives than the personals sections of newspapers ever did; and Netflix, HBO, Twitch, TikTok, and YouTube challenge the commercial and public broadcasters’ positions.
Facebook aggregates material and services more efficiently than the media due to its use of user-curated content and predictive content personalization. These enormous platforms now distribute content, while traditional media companies have evolved into content providers for these platforms, similar to anyone with a smartphone.
The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Associated Press, Forbes, and ProPublica have initiated the automation of news content. Though the technology is still in its infancy on the market, automated journalism has made its way into newsrooms and is likely to remain.
The use of AI in journalism has provided opportunities to automate reporting and has helped to rapidly expand coverage; the Associated Press was able to expand the number of companies it reported. It also provides faster insights and the ability to spontaneously provide real-time data for the outlines of a story in seconds, unlike human reporters. In addition, it can reduce the human element in the content-creation process.
In his research on the subject, “Guide to Automated Journalism”, Andreas Graefe stated that the increasing availability of structured data and news organizations’ desire to both reduce costs and increase the quantity of news are some of the primary drivers of automated journalism.
This is because algorithms can generate news more quickly, on a larger scale, and potentially with fewer errors than human journalists. It can use the same data to tell stories in multiple languages and from various perspectives, thus tailoring them to the preferences of each individual reader.
Equally, they have the capacity to generate news on demand by generating stories in response to users’ data-related queries. On the other hand, he argued that the disadvantage of algorithms is that they rely on data and assumptions, both of which are susceptible to bias and error.
As a result, algorithms may generate unanticipated, unintended, and erroneous results. They are unable to pose questions, explain novel phenomena, or establish causality, limiting their capacity to observe society and perform journalistic duties such as orientation and opinion formation.
In looking at the pros and cons, some journalists may see the new robot journalists as a serious threat to their career and means of livelihood, while some forward-thinking journalists will view this potential threat to journalism as a tool for more efficient delivery.
For proactive practitioners, the robot journalists will free them from engaging in sometimes dangerous and costly investigations. The bot will also provide them with an automated draft of a story, which they will then revise and enhance with their in-depth analysis, perspectives, and storytelling skills.
With advancements in micro-data technology, it will be challenging for human journalists to compete in this ecosystem of automatic data collection and writing without advancing their skill set. In the nearest future, there is the possibility that career professions in the media will experience a paradigm shift.
It is envisaged that Data managers and AI software engineers may become key players in the journalism profession as employees of media organizations and potential newsroom leaders in the emerging media practice.
Notwithstanding the above, human journalists still have important roles and competitive advantages over robot journalists – but they must fully understand those limitations and retool their skills, competencies and abilities to reposition their mode of operation to take advantage of the opportunities.
Andreas Graefe has argued that Journalists whose work consists of covering mundane themes may be displaced by automated journalism, but the advent of news-generating algorithms may also lead to the creation of new employment opportunities. For instance, a robot journalist cannot be a watchdog over democracy and human rights.
Consequently, there is a likelihood of collaboration and integration of human and automated journalism to form a man-machine alliance. It is in the best interest of journalists to hone their skills and develop new ones in areas such as in-depth analysis, interviewing, and investigative reporting, which algorithms cannot execute. It is therefore pertinent that human journalists should understand and embrace the new rules of the game.
Going forward, media organisations and practitioners in developing countries and particularly in Nigeria must begin to change their perspective and espouse these new realities if they must remain relevant in the emerging media space.
Otherwise, the mega and evolving media practice propelled by AI will lead to the extinction of some media practitioners and operators in line with Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection. The time to act is now as AI has the capacity to transform the digital space in ways that seem unimaginable.
Regarding Nigeria journalism practice in the age of robot journalism, Desmond Onyemechi Okocha and Roxie Ojoma Ola-Akuma stated in their study “Investigating Robot Journalism, National Security and the Future of Military-Media Relations in Nigeria” that media practitioners are still unfamiliar with the concept of robot journalism technology.
They urged media organizations and journalists to acquire the skills necessary to implement and adapt to global strategies for gathering, packaging, and disseminating news and other pertinent information to the public.
In addition, journalists must make editorial and ethical decisions, which could pave the way for the adoption of automated journalism, as robots lack emotions and can only implement pre-programmed ethics. In addition, media organizations should be adaptable and train their employees in online journalism, while the government should facilitate the continuous flow of information. On the other hand, Nigerian training institutions should include robot journalism and military news coverage in their curriculum.
Felix Elele wrote from Abuja, Nigeria.
General News
AFC Proffers Action Plans for Nigeria, Africa to Unlock $4trn from Investors to Grow Economy
Nigeria and other African nations can tap up to $4 trillion in capital from institutional investors, an amount that could be used to fund the continent’s infrastructural gaps and engineer much-needed economic growth, according to the Africa Finance Corporation.
While there are as investable domestic capital across banking assets, institutional funds, and reserves, the multilateral lender revealed on Thursday that funds are still being channeled into “low-risk and short-term instruments instead of being channelled into the real economy.”
“Redirecting more savings into the real economy is critical,” said Rita Babihuga-Nsanze, AFC chief economist and director of strategy, speaking during the AFC’s 2025 State of Africa’s Infrastructure briefing. “Africa must build its intermediation infrastructure to match its development needs.”
Nigeria is however demonstrating how Africa can unlock domestic capital for infrastructure, with its pension fund investments in the sector rising from just $6 million in 2015 to more than $155 million in less than a decade.
This milestone, driven largely by reforms and credit enhancement mechanisms like InfraCredit, underscores the growing role of pensions in financing long-term development on the continent.
Data from the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) shows that as of February 2025, Nigeria’s infrastructure-related pension assets had grown to N250.87 billion, representing 1 percent of total assets under management (AUM).
This is a sharp increase from the N1.19 billion recorded in 2015, which stood at just 0.02 percent of AUM.
A turning point came in 2017, with the launch of InfraCredit and Nigeria’s maiden corporate infrastructure bond. The credit guarantee initiative helped de-risk infrastructure projects, attracting conservative institutional investors like pension fund administrators (PFAs).
Chinua Azubike, managing director of InfraCredit said the credit-guarantee institution has helped facilitated bonds to build critical infrastructure, citing the bond raised for the construction of the Lagos Free Zone.
Azubike noted that while perception of risks persists, the company has “zero default rate” despite being involved in well over 12 sectors.
But while Nigeria’s growth is notable, pension allocations across Africa remain largely skewed toward low-risk, short-term instruments such as government securities and money market funds.
In countries like Ghana and Uganda, over 75 percent of pension assets are held in government bonds. Nigeria itself still holds 63 percent of its pension assets in these instruments.
This conservative stance, analysts say, reflects both regulatory caution and the underdevelopment of local capital markets.
In contrast, economies like India and OECD countries show a more balanced allocation, with significant exposure to corporate debt, real estate, and alternative investments. For example, OECD pension funds allocate nearly 20 percent to alternatives, according to AFC data.
To replicate Nigeria’s model, experts are calling for a coordinated effort to deepen capital markets, build risk assessment capacity, and create vehicles that can intermediate long-term finance effectively.
Beyond returns, pension investments in infrastructure have the added benefit of creating jobs, boosting productivity, and supporting economic resilience, critical needs in a post-pandemic, climate-vulnerable Africa.
Association of Set-Top Box Manufacturers of Nigeria (STBMAN) has accused the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) of sidelining indigenous manufacturers and flouting a subsisting court order in its push to launch a new satellite-driven Digital Switch Over (DSO) scheme, tagged ‘The Big Picture’.
Charles Ebuebu, director-general, NBC
The group is calling on President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene.
STBMAN, in a statement issued by Sir Godfrey Ohuabunwa, its chairman, described the NBC’s approach as “incoherent and unfair”, alleging a consistent pattern of disregard for existing agreements and stakeholders.
“It is becoming routine for the Commission to embark on a course without the slightest consideration to agreements and for key stakeholders in the DSO ecosystem,” the group stated.
The manufacturers expressed concern over NBC’s plan to import five million hybrid set-top boxes from China, despite a presidential executive order promoting local content in procurement.
They argue this move contradicts the “Nigeria First Policy” and undermines years of local investment.
“NBC should therefore be a promoter of economic activities and not a destroyer of ideas and investments,” STBMAN said, highlighting that its members still hold unsold boxes manufactured to NBC’s original specifications.
READ THE FULL STATEMENT BELOW:
PRESS RELEASE BY THE ASSOCIATION OF SET TOP BOX MANUFACTURERS OF NIGERIA, ON THE JOINT PRESS RELEASE BY THE DIRECTORS GENERAL OF THE NATIONAL BROADCASTING COMMISSION (NBC) AND NIGCOMSAT ON THE UNVEILING OF SATELLITE DRIVEN DIGITAL SWITCH OVER (DSO) TAGGED ‘‘THE BIG PICTURE’’.
The Association of Set Top Box Manufacturers of Nigeria (STBMAN)is once again compelled to issue a statement on the very incoherent and unfair practices being pursued by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC)in its implementation of the FGN’s policy on the migration from analogue to digital broadcasting. Regrettably, it is becoming routine for the Commission to embark on a course without the slightest consideration to agreements and for key stakeholders in the DSO ecosystem.
The public is invited to note that STBMAN is a body of technology driven businesses and is not averse to the introduction and use of new technologies.
Similarly, it should be noted that the Association is not alluding to any inference that it should be the ultimate determiner of how the project is implanted.
For any keen follower of the DSO since its conception by the DigiTeam, it is not far- fetched to recall its decision on the adoption of the Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) option as against the DTH on grounds of the cost that will be difficult to bear by the larger part of the TV viewing population.
Secondly, as at today the Federal Government of Nigeria has spent close to over N60Billion on DSO program, excluding Millions of Dollars spent by Broadcast Signal Distributors, local DTT factories and other stakeholders who have deployed DTT Infrastructure. This is not minding the over 10 million Poor Television Households that will be impacted by mindless action of hybrid box.
As we are not averse to any change of any government policy, it is on record that STBMAN at various times have encouraged NBC to partner with NIGCOMSAT to provide the necessary signal transmission/ coverage to ameliorate the heavy cost that was being paid to foreign satellite distribution/ carriers but the NBC outrightly refused to consider this.
It is heart-warming to note finally that NIGCOMSAT is now the latest and best to provide signal coverage.
Curiously, the Press Release stated that local manufacturers would be engaged to produce hybrid compliant reception devices yearly, yet there has been no form of engagement with the 13 licensed STB manufacturers who have committed huge financial cost in the manufacture of DTT boxes specifically ordered and made to specifications provided by the NBC/ Digiteam.
It is imperative for the public to note that the STB manufacturers have toiled and sacrificed for the success of the DSO but at each turn, there appears to be deliberate and calculated move to scuttle their efforts and investments.
For almost 10 years, members of STBMAN have been left with scores of boxes in their warehouses without being able to sell because of NBC’s inability to deliver on its obligations and contractual agreements.
The least that any well-meaning governmental body that cares for the growth of its economy should have done, would have been an engagement with the existing licensed manufacturers to work out an acceptable arrangement, considering the financial investments as well as the changes in technology that have become necessary to undertake.
The public is invited to note further that it was on grounds of this and NBC’s attempt to undermine the agreement and the exclusivity granted the pioneer manufacturers that the Association took out a Writ of Summons in Suit No: FCT/HC/GAR/CV/442/2024 to protect its interest by seeking Court intervention to stop any attempt at licensing new manufacturers of STBs. It is *instructive to emphasis here that on the 11th day of September 2024, the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, sitting in Abuja made interim orders restraining NBC from taking any further step in relation to the reliefs being sought by the Claimants.
Notwithstanding the fact that NBC is not only seized of the pendency of the case/ action but has joined issues with the Claimants, it has chosen the path of contempt to short circuit the ends of justice.
An order of court, whether valid or not must be obeyed if it is subsisting by all no matter how lowly or lightly placed in society until it is set aside. This is what the rule of law is all about.
As if NBC is running a different Government, in the press release, they intend to import 5,000,000 Hybrid/DTH Set Top Boxes from China, in total disregard of the Presidential Executive Order “The Nigeria First Policy’ which makes it mandatory, that Nigeria comes first in all procurement processes.
No foreign goods or devices that are already produced locally will be procured without a clear justified reason. Accordingly, the policy reflects the vision of President Ahmed Tinubu GCFR in industrializing Nigeria, shielding the economy from global shocks and building sustainable local capacity. NBC should therefore be a promoter of economic activities and not a destroyer of ideas and investments.
In the light of the foregoing, we call on Mr. President, Alh. Bola A. Tinubu GCFR to urgently wage in and stop this rather dangerous trend sought to be perpetrated by the NBC leadership and its advisers.
Thank you.
For: ASSOCIATION OF LICENCED SET TOP BOX MANUFACTURERS OF NIGERIA. (STBMAN)
SIR GODFREY N. OHUABUNWA
CHAIRMAN
Jumia, Africa’s e-commerce platform, is celebrating 13 years of transforming the way Nigerians shop. Since its launch in 2012, Jumia has evolved into more than just an online shopping destination. It has become a catalyst for economic growth, digital inclusion, and everyday convenience for millions of Nigerians.
From small business owners and rural consumers, Jumia has played a key role in shaping a more inclusive digital marketplace. Over the past decade, the platform has helped hundreds of local and international brands reach customers across the country, while also supporting thousands of sellers with tools, training, and access to logistics and digital payments.
To commemorate this milestone, Jumia is launching the 2025 Anniversary Campaign under the theme “Enjoyment Overload”, running from June 2 to June 22. While the campaign will feature attractive deals from Nivea, Xiaomi, Itel, Diageo, Ecoflow, Skyrun, Oraimo, Adidas, Reebok, Unilever, Reckitt, and more, it also reflects a deeper celebration of the brand’s enduring impact.
“We are proud of the journey so far, not just in terms of business growth, but in the real-life stories of empowerment and access that Jumia has made possible. With this anniversary campaign, we’re pulling out all the stops to create a celebration that rewards loyalty, excites new users, and showcases the very best of what e-commerce can offer.
This is our way of saying thank you to the millions of Nigerians who have grown with us, challenged us, and inspired us every step of the way,” said Sunil Natraj, CEO, Jumia Nigeria.
“Beiersdorf Nigeria owner of Nivea Brand, is proud to partner with Jumia as the Platinum Sponsor for the 2025 Jumia Anniversary Celebration. This three-week event allows us to showcase our commitment to skincare innovation and reward consumers nationwide.
“NIVEA will highlight key innovations, including our new NIVEA SUNSCREEN – UV Face, re-launched Deep Maxx Tech Body Lotion, and Radiant & Beauty Even Glow, specially designed to meet the unique skincare needs of African skin.
“Through this partnership, we’re bringing trusted skincare solutions to more Nigerians, with exclusive discounts and a 4.5 million Naira grand prize for the top shoppers,” said Dele Adeyole, Country Manager, Beiersdorf Nivea Consumer Product Limited.
Shoppers can look forward to daily flash deals, brand days, games, treasure hunt, and exciting giveaways from Jumia and partner brands.
As Nigeria’s digital economy continues to evolve, Jumia remains committed to simplifying daily life through technology, innovation, and a customer-first approach.
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