Bauchi Govt, NAWOJ Partner CITAD to Train Female Journalists on Artificial Intelligence
Kola Oyelere Kano
The Bauchi State Government, in collaboration with the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Bauchi State Chapter, and the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), has trained female journalists on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other digital tools to enhance professional journalism.
The capacity-building workshop, held at the CITAD premises in Kano, exposed participants to practical applications of AI in news gathering, story writing, editing, fact-checking, transcription, and multimedia content production.
Speaking during the training, the Chairperson of NAWOJ, Bauchi State Chapter, Rashida Yusuf, said the programme was designed to prepare female journalists for the rapidly evolving digital media environment while upholding the ethics, accuracy, and credibility of journalism.
She noted that Artificial Intelligence has become an essential tool in modern journalism and urged participants to apply the skills acquired to improve the quality, speed, and efficiency of their reporting.
Yusuf commended the Bauchi State Government for its commitment to the training and retraining of journalists through the Office of the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity.
According to her, the knowledge gained from the workshop would enable journalists to strengthen their professional competence and effectively project government policies, programmes, and achievements through balanced, accurate, and timely reporting.
She also expressed appreciation to the Bauchi State Government, NAWOJ, and CITAD for organizing the training, describing the initiative as timely and impactful in building the capacity of female journalists to meet the demands of an increasingly technology-driven media industry.
Also speaking, Senior Programme Officer of CITAD, Isa Garba, said the workshop was aimed at equipping journalists with practical knowledge and skills for the effective and ethical use of AI in their daily professional activities.
Garba observed that journalism, like many other professions, is undergoing rapid transformation due to technological innovation, making it necessary for media practitioners to embrace emerging tools.
“Journalism is dynamic, and the face of that dynamism today is Artificial Intelligence. Journalists must understand how to effectively utilize AI in reporting, news writing, and other aspects of their work if they want to keep pace with global developments,” he said.
While acknowledging concerns about the misuse of AI, he emphasized the importance of responsible application of technology.
“Technology is a double-edged sword. It can be used positively or negatively. Our responsibility is to maximize its benefits while minimizing its disadvantages. Journalists must understand the ethical dimensions of AI and use it responsibly to improve their work,” Garba added.
He stressed that AI should complement rather than replace human intelligence, noting that professional judgment, critical thinking, and ethical standards remain central to quality journalism.
Garba expressed confidence that participants would use the knowledge acquired during the training to improve the quality, efficiency, and competitiveness of their work in line with international best practices.
In her remarks, Chairperson of NAWOJ, Kano State Chapter, Bahijja Malam Kabara, encouraged women journalists to embrace Artificial Intelligence to enhance their professional capacity, increase productivity, and explore new income-generating opportunities.
Kabara noted that the digital revolution is reshaping communication and media practice globally, making it imperative for journalists to acquire relevant technological skills.
She expressed concern that women have been largely underrepresented in the adoption of AI tools and called for greater efforts to bridge the digital gap.
“Most especially, women are left behind as far as AI is concerned. Therefore, we are here to learn how to use it properly and how we can generate something special from it regarding our work, business and daily activities,” she said.
According to her, the training exposed participants to a range of AI applications, including content creation, image generation, visualization, and the development of public awareness campaigns.
The workshop forms part of ongoing efforts by NAWOJ and its partners to promote digital literacy and strengthen the capacity of women journalists to navigate the rapidly changing media landscape driven by technological innovation.