The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, Comrade Akeem Abas, has said that artificial intelligence (AI) will only replace journalists who refuse to upgrade their skills and adapt to emerging technologies in the media industry.
Abas made the remark while addressing journalists during a training session on the use of artificial intelligence and digital tools for modern journalism. He stressed that AI should be viewed as an enabler rather than a threat to the profession.
The statement was made recently in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, during a capacity-building programme organized to expose journalists on evolving technologies shaping news production, content distribution and newsroom operations.
Explaining his position, Abas noted that AI tools are already transforming how news is gathered, analyzed and published, but insisted that they cannot replace critical journalistic functions such as investigation, editorial judgment, ethical decision-making and accountability reporting. According to him, journalists who embrace AI for tasks like data analysis, research support, content enhancement and fact-checking will remain relevant in a fast-changing media landscape.
“As Nigeria advances towards a knowledge-based economy, journalists must be fully included in this transformation.”
He warned, however, that journalists who ignore digital transformation risk being sidelined as media organizations increasingly adopt technology-driven workflows to improve efficiency and competitiveness.
Abas said the warning was necessary to prepare journalists for the future of work in the media sector, urging practitioners to continuously learn, retrain and evolve with global trends. He also called on media organisations and journalism unions to prioritise regular training and digital literacy programmes to ensure that journalists are equipped for the demands of modern journalism.
He concluded that AI is not a replacement for journalism, but a tool that rewards adaptability, creativity and professional competence, adding that the future belongs to journalists who are willing to learn and innovate.
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