Author: Okikiola O. Johnson

From Search Engines to AI Answers For more than two decades, Nigerians seeking reliable information have relied on a familiar routine: search engines, multiple news sources, expert commentary, and, where possible, official data. Researchers, journalists, and students were trained to triangulate evidence rather than rely on a single authority. That culture of verification remains essential today, but the tools used to practise it are changing. Artificial intelligence systems are now capable of generating fluent answers, summarising complex material, and analysing large volumes of text in seconds. This shift has sparked both excitement and unease. On the one hand, AI promises…

Elon Musk has outlined plans to build an artificial intelligence (AI) satellite factory on the Moon, marking a significant expansion of his long-term space and technology ambitions. According to reports, the proposed lunar facility would focus on manufacturing AI-powered satellites directly on the Moon, potentially reducing launch costs and enabling large-scale space-based infrastructure. The project is said to be under consideration within Musk’s broader ecosystem of companies, including SpaceX and artificial intelligence firm xAI. The concept involves establishing industrial operations on the Moon that could assemble and deploy satellites into orbit. Manufacturing in a low-gravity environment could, in theory, lower…

The concept of copyright has long been a cornerstone of intellectual property law, protecting the rights of creators while fostering innovation and cultural expression. Traditionally, copyright was designed for works produced by human authors, encompassing literature, music, visual arts, and more. The law recognised the intrinsic link between creativity and human agency, providing authors with exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, and adapt their work. However, the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) presents a profound challenge to this conventional framework. AI systems can now generate content autonomously, from novels and poems to artwork, music, and even code. This blurring of authorship…

Over the past decade, global media landscapes have undergone a profound transformation, driven by the convergence of digital technologies and audience expectations. In Nigeria, a country renowned for its dynamic creative sector, this transformation is increasingly being influenced by artificial intelligence (AI). From automating news production to personalising content for audiences, AI is no longer a distant possibility; it is becoming an integral tool in the newsroom, broadcasting studios, and digital media platforms. Nigerian readers should pay attention to this trend not merely as consumers of content but as stakeholders in a media ecosystem that is poised to shape public…

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has publicly reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Corporate Affairs Commission’s (CAC) artificial intelligence (AI)–driven transformation programme, describing the initiative as essential to modernising service delivery and strengthening cybersecurity. The pledge was made during the CAC’s 35th anniversary celebration held at the Ladi Kwali Hall of the Continental Hotel in Abuja. Delivering a goodwill message at the event, Malam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director-General of NITDA, commended CAC for its resilience and sustained progress over the years. Inuwa said that many organisations tend to stagnate after initial success, but CAC has continued to “thrive,…

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming how we work, communicate, and create. From automating repetitive tasks to generating creative content, AI promises efficiency, innovation, and new economic opportunities. Yet, as organisations and individuals rush to integrate AI into daily workflows, a growing question emerges: Are the people most engaged with AI, the enthusiasts, early adopters, and heavy users, at higher risk of burnout? This article explores the nuanced relationship between AI adoption and occupational stress, highlighting cognitive, social, and organisational dimensions. Drawing on research, expert insights, and emerging patterns from tech workplaces globally, we examine the hidden costs of embracing AI.…

From the early days of social networking to today’s generative intelligence revolution, Meta, the company behind Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Threads, has been at the forefront of digital transformation. In the last few years, Meta has deeply embedded artificial intelligence (AI) across its platforms, not merely as a technical novelty, but as an integrated suite of tools for communication, creativity and commerce. For Nigerian readers, artists, journalists, academics, policymakers, students, entrepreneurs and digital creators, the rise of Meta AI matters for several reasons. First, the platforms themselves are deeply woven into the fabric of online life in Nigeria and across Africa: billions of…

The Federal Government has unveiled an AI-powered National Cancer Control Plan (NCCP) for 2026–2030, marking a major step toward strengthening cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and research nationwide. The plan integrates artificial intelligence into public health systems to improve early detection, expand access to care, and enhance data-driven decision-making in cancer control. Speaking at the unveiling, government officials said the new framework reflects a shift toward technology-enabled healthcare, designed to reduce cancer-related deaths and address long-standing gaps in screening, diagnosis, and treatment. The AI-driven approach is expected to support risk assessment, automate screening processes, optimise treatment planning, and improve cancer surveillance…

In the global race for artificial intelligence, languages are quietly competing for survival. Those that are not digitised risk being left behind. With the launch of Google’s open speech dataset for African languages, Nigeria’s major indigenous tongues may finally be stepping into the AI spotlight. For years, artificial intelligence has struggled to understand African voices. From voice assistants that fail to recognise accents to speech-to-text tools that simply ignore indigenous languages, Africa, and Nigeria in particular, have remained on the sidelines of global AI conversation. That gap will now be closing up with Google launching WAXAL, a large open-access speech dataset…

From the farms of Benue to the bustling markets of Lagos, food moves through a long, inefficient journey before it reaches the Nigerian consumer. Along the way, delays, waste, and poor coordination quietly push prices higher. Tomatoes rot in transit, grains arrive late, and households pay the price. As food inflation tightens its grip on Nigeria, attention is shifting to an alternative ally, artificial intelligence. So here comes the pertinent question; can AI-powered supply chains fix what decades of inefficiency have broken? Let us find out. Nigeria’s Food Inflation Crisis Food prices in Nigeria have risen sharply in recent years,…