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 series of Artificial Intelligence (AI) training sessions by mid-January, 2026.
The AI training initiative, he stated, was designed to equip media professionals with modern digital skills and enhance newsroom productivity.
Comrade 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 (NBC).
According to him, Oyo NUJ Council was committed to repositioning journalism practice in the state through exposure to emerging technologies.
The Oyo NUJ chairman explained in a statement by the Secretary of the Council, Dayo Adu, that the 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.
Comrade Abas added that the Oyo NUJ leadership has already perfected its discussions with technology experts that will facilitate the AI training series, noting that the programme would run in batches to ensure that every chapel in the council benefits.
He also restated his administration’s resolve to prioritise professional development, welfare, and inclusiveness among journalists in the state.
The Oyo NUJ chairman added that the union would continue to embrace innovative ideas that can elevate standards and strengthen credibility within the media space.
He 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.
