By Correspondent in Abuja.
(C) Google.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has urged journalists in Nigeria to make verification a non-negotiable part of their reporting, warning that the growing sophistication of artificial intelligence (AI) is making false and misleading information increasingly difficult to detect.
The NCC Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Aminu Maida, gave the warning in a keynote address delivered on his behalf by the Commission’s Principal Manager, Projects, Babatunde Apeji, at the Press Society Media Sensitisation Workshop in Ikeja, Lagos.
Our correspondent reports that the workshop,has as theme, “Balancing Creativity and Ethics in the Media in the Era of Artificial Intelligence.”
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Maida said AI was already transforming the way news was researched, produced, distributed and consumed, creating new opportunities for journalists while simultaneously presenting serious challenges to accuracy, credibility and public trust.
He further cautioned journalists against assuming that sophisticated-looking content was necessarily authentic, noting that manipulated images, synthetic audio and other forms of AI-generated material could appear convincing even to experienced observers.
He reminded journalists that the emergence of AI has not altered their fundamental responsibility to establish the authenticity of information before publishing or amplifying it.
“Technology can accelerate the production and distribution of content, but it cannot replace integrity, sound judgement and a commitment to truth,” Maida said.
The NCC boss advised journalists to establish the origin of information, consult authoritative sources and rely on verifiable evidence, particularly when reporting on technical and emerging issues such as telecommunications and artificial intelligence.
He also urged the media to maintain balance when reporting on emerging technologies by examining both their opportunities and potential risks, rather than presenting them with either excessive optimism or unnecessary alarm.
Maida noted that AI could significantly improve newsroom efficiency when responsibly deployed, helping journalists process large volumes of information, analyse data, translate materials, transcribe interviews and identify patterns.
He, however, stressed that such technological assistance should complement, rather than replace, professional judgment, investigative skills and editorial responsibility.
The NCC also emphasised the importance of digital literacy and continuous professional development, saying journalists must understand not only how emerging technologies work but also their limitations and potential for misuse.
The Commission said Nigeria’s rapidly expanding digital economy had further increased the importance of reliable telecommunications infrastructure, which now supports financial transactions, e-commerce, healthcare, education, public services, entertainment and security.
According to NCC data, Nigeria had about 179.64 million active telecommunications subscriptions, more than 157 million mobile internet subscriptions and over 121 million broadband subscriptions as of May 2026.
Maida linked the future development of AI in Nigeria to the strength of the country’s telecommunications infrastructure, observing that AI depends on data, data depends on networks, while networks require infrastructure, investment, regulation and collaboration.
He said the NCC would continue to support broadband expansion, network resilience, consumer protection and innovation while promoting constructive engagement with the media and other stakeholders.
He reaffirmed the commitment of NCC to cybersecurity, consumer protection and the protection of national communications infrastructure.
Maida maintained that while government had a responsibility to create an enabling environment for technological innovation, the private sector must continue investing in infrastructure and innovation, educational institutions must equip citizens with future-ready skills, and the media must ensure that technological advancement does not compromise its responsibility to the public.
He stressed that the future of journalism might be increasingly digital, but its core values remained unchanged.
“The obligation to verify information remains unchanged,” he said.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
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