BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja
The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, and Chevron Nigeria Limited have encouraged journalists to adopt emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence, AI, in reporting factual stories while shaping public opinion.
This played out when Chevron Nigeria Limited in collaboration with the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, chapter of NUJ organised the 2026 Chevron Media Capacity Building Programme for Energy Correspondents with the theme: “Strengthening Energy Journalism Through Knowledge, Data Accuracy and Artificial Intelligence.”
The training, which centered on data accuracy and the use of Artificial Intelligence, AI, in energy reporting was held in Abuja.
Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council, Grace Ike sought a new approach to energy journalism, urging journalists to move beyond event-driven coverage and embrace data, accuracy, context and emerging technologies.
Ike noted that such an approach would deepen public understanding of Nigeria’s rapidly evolving energy landscape, adding that the media plays a critical role in shaping public discourse around the sector.
She stated that quality journalism can influence policy decisions, public trust, investment flows and outcomes in host communities, saying that energy journalists operate within a complex ecosystem involving government, businesses, technical experts, investors and citizens, making it imperative for them to strengthen their understanding of the industry.
Ike described the training as an investment in accuracy, context and credibility, stressing that it would enable journalists to explain the implications of energy developments for jobs, prices, communities and climate goals.
She encouraged journalists to verify figures and develop the tools and habits required to cross-check official statistics, company disclosures and independent datasets, describing AI as a valuable tool rather than a replacement for professional judgment.
The Communications Manager of Chevron Nigeria Ltd., Mr Victor Anyaegbudik informed that the programme reflected the company’s strategic investment in journalism training and capacity development.
He said that the initiative evolved from a pilot programme in Lagos conducted in partnership with Pan-Atlantic University, which trained about 140 journalists, saying that the programme has since been expanded to Lagos, Delta, Abuja and other parts of the country in collaboration with NUJ councils and energy correspondents’ associations.
“As we are finishing in 2026, we must have trained about 400 to 500 journalists that have participated in this programme in the last three years. In this era of AI, we cannot do without talking about it because it has come to stay. So, the training is for journalists to understand the use of AI in news reporting,” he said.
Anyaegbudike also highlighted Chevron’s contributions to Nigeria’s economic development through its investments and operations.
Former Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council, Mr Amos Duniya, who presented a paper on Artificial Intelligence in the Newsroom, noted that AI is now a dominant force in global information management.
Duniya said that while AI could provide detailed information and improved efficiency, it could also be misused through manipulation, misinformation and dissemination of doctored content.
He was optimistic that AI helped journalists save time and improve productivity in their daily work.
Comments
Post a Comment