From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) has reiterated its commitment to empowering Nigerian journalists and supporting sustainable community development.
It made the declaration during a one-day media training on harnessing Artificial Intelligence in journalism with the theme: “Ethical use, efficiency and combating misinformation” in Abuja organised in partnership with the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Abuja Council, aims to enhance the skills and professional capacity of media practitioners across the country.
Speaking on behalf of Chevron Nigeria, General Manager of Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Olusoga Oduselu, highlighted the company’s ongoing efforts to invest in human capital and foster strong media partnerships. “We believe in the value derivable from developing human capital,” he said.
He noted that previous editions of the programme in Lagos, Delta, and the Federal Capital Territory have trained over 180 journalists since 2023.
He highlighted the critical role journalists play as “agenda-setters and opinion moulders” in society, thanking them for their impactful reporting on the oil and gas industry. He also spotlighted Chevron’s Advanced Writing and Reporting Skills (AWARES) programme, launched in collaboration with Pan Atlantic University in 2014, which has benefited more than 120 journalists.
Beyond media development, Chevron’s commitment, Oduselu said, extends to Nigerian Content development and community empowerment. He disclosed that the company supports local employment and contracts worth over $1 billion annually. Since pioneering the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) in 2005, Chevron has contributed billions of naira to community projects through Regional Development Committees, now transitioning to Host Community Development Trusts under the Petroleum Industry Act (2021).
He said Chevron’s efforts also include environmental sustainability, with a significant reduction in gas flaring by over 97% in the past decade. “We are committed to lowering carbon emissions and reducing gas flaring in Nigeria,” Oduselu affirmed.
He concluded by encouraging continued ethical journalism and open dialogue with Chevron’s communications team.
“We encourage you to continue to make your mark in the narrative of Nigeria and her multidimensional development, while maintaining the ethical principles that guide your noble profession,” he said.
The Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council, Grace Ike, emphasised the transformative power of artificial intelligence in modern journalism. “Artificial Intelligence is no longer a distant concept but a powerful tool reshaping how we gather, verify, and deliver news,” she said. “AI enhances our ability to analyze vast data, detect misinformation, and engage audiences more effectively. It offers unprecedented opportunities to improve the speed, accuracy, and reach of our reporting.”
Highlighting AI’s critical role in combating misinformation, Ike noted, “With the rise of misinformation, especially during elections and public health crises, AI-powered platforms cross-reference claims against trusted databases and detect manipulated media like deepfakes. This strengthens the credibility of journalism by reducing errors and misinformation.”
She also pointed out how AI personalises news content, stating, “AI tailors news feeds and recommendations based on reader preferences, thereby increasing engagement and sustaining readership. Tools that transcribe interviews and speeches efficiently save journalists time, allowing them to focus on analysis and storytelling.”
However, Ike cautioned about the ethical dimensions of integrating AI in journalism. “Embracing AI comes with ethical responsibilities. We must ensure transparency in AI algorithms and guard against biases that could skew reporting. Upholding the core journalistic values of authenticity, truthfulness, accuracy, and ethical practice remains paramount as we integrate these technologies.”
The NUJ FCT Council, she assured, is committed to supporting journalists through this digital evolution. “We advocate for continuous digital literacy, ethical AI use, and collaboration among journalists, technologists, and policymakers to ensure AI serves the public interest and democratic values.”
Ike also praised Chevron Nigeria for its role in media capacity building. “Chevron’s commitment to media capacity building, demonstrated through this training and previous initiatives, highlights the importance of equipping journalists with modern digital tools to uphold ethical standards and promote good governance,” she said. “As the fourth estate, the media must leverage AI not just to enhance efficiency but to continue shaping informed public discourse responsibly.”
Ike concluded by calling on journalists to embrace innovation with integrity. “Let us embrace innovation boldly but responsibly, ensuring that technology enhances our mission to inform, enlighten, and serve society with courage and integrity. This training is more than a skill-building exercise—it is a call to embrace innovation, uphold integrity, and lead the transformation of journalism in Nigeria and beyond.”
She expressed optimism about the future of journalism empowered by AI, stating, “With the right mindset and tools, we can harness AI to tell stories that matter, faster and more accurately, while preserving the trust of our audiences.”
Journalist were trained on “Leveraging on Artificial Intelligence to Enhance Journalism in Nigeria” by Busola Ajibola, Center for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), Freedom of Information and Media Accountability by Eman Shehu, Director, International Institute of Journalism, who was represented by Simon Reef and Mental Health of Journalists in the Era of Social Media by Lemmy Ugegbe.The training brought together media professionals, persons with disabilities and resource persons to explore how AI is transforming the journalism landscape.