Chevron & NUJ Equip 70+ Journalists in Abuja to Harness AI, Promote Credible information and Combat Fake News.

By Raymond Enoch

In a strategic move to enhance media integrity and innovation, Chevron Nigeria Limited, in partnership with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council, has successfully trained over 70 journalists based in Abuja on the responsible use of artificial intelligence in journalism.

Held at the NUJ FCT secretariat in Utako, the one-day workshop focused on leveraging AI tools to improve news verification, combat misinformation, and streamline reporting processes. The initiative underscores the escalating role of AI in modern newsrooms—not merely as a technological novelty, but as a critical partner in media evolution

Attendees explored AI-driven verification tools designed to quickly validate information and detect disinformation, echoing broader trends within Nigerian media .

NUJ FCT Chairman Comrade Grace Ike emphasized that while AI can boost efficiency and audience engagement, it must align with journalistic values—authorship accountability, bias reduction, and privacy protection

Leveraging Digital Tools for Governance Reporting: The event also dove into how AI-enhanced data journalism, social media analytics, and digital rights frameworks can support robust, transparent governance coverage

Victor Anyaegbudike, Chevron’s Communications Manager, highlighted the company’s growing investment in the Nigerian media ecosystem, noting this program builds on last year’s training, which empowered 90 journalists across Lagos, Abuja, and Warri, bringing the total media professionals trained through Chevron-NUJ collaborations to over 300.

Nigeria’s media landscape is steadily embracing AI to counter fake news, especially on platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram. Fact-checking initiatives—such as the Dubawa WhatsApp chatbot and MyAI fact-checker—are already harnessing AI to verify claims and strengthen public trust

As AI continues reshaping newsrooms globally, local media experts urge the expansion of training across states and news outlets. They advocate for developing tailored AI policies and infrastructure investments, ensuring that technology serves truth, fairness, and democratic accountability

This milestone workshop marks a significant step in embedding AI responsibly within Nigeria’s journalism sector—fostering higher-quality reporting and more resilient media ecosystems.