Nigeria’s media and technology leaders are gathered in Lagos today for the AI & Media Sustainability and Democracy Conference, a landmark event exploring how artificial intelligence can shape the future of journalism and democratic engagement in the country.
Themed: “Unlocking Nigeria’s AI Potentials for Media Sustainability and Democracy,” the conference is taking place at BON Hotel, Ikeja GRA, and features the official launch of ToriAI, a home-grown innovation built to empower newsrooms through multilingual automation, inclusive storytelling, and newsroom efficiency.
The event, organised by the New Thoughts Media Support Foundation (formerly Civic Media Lab), is bringing together journalists, technologists, innovators, and policymakers to discuss how AI can drive sustainability, ethical reporting, and stronger democratic participation across Nigeria’s media landscape.
Techparley’s team is live at the event, with reports by RIDWAN ADELAJA, editorial support from QUADRI ADEJUMO.
Official Launch of ToriAI by Habeeb Oladapo and Chikezie Omeje
The highlight of the day arrives with the official launch of ToriAI, an artificial intelligence platform designed to support newsrooms with multilingual summaries, inclusive storytelling, and workflow automation for sustainable journalism.
The unveiling is led by Habeeb Oladapo and Chikezie Omeje, marking a milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to integrate AI into its media ecosystem.
According to the organisers, ToriAI, developed through local research and newsroom collaboration, is built to address real challenges confronting Nigerian publishers; from high production costs to accessibility gaps in multilingual storytelling.
As the platform goes live, participants applaud the innovation as a symbol of Africa’s growing capacity to create home-grown AI solutions tailored to its linguistic, cultural, and economic realities.
11:50 AM — Second Panel Session: The AI Ecosystem in Nigeria: The Knowledge Gap & Raising the Next Generation of AI Experts with Prof. Abiodun Musa Aibinu, Prof. Suleiman Yar’Adua, and Dr. Dr Olusola Ayoola
Moderator: Dr. Aderonke Lawal
The second panel session of the day focuses on “The AI Ecosystem in Nigeria: The Knowledge Gap & Raising the Next Generation of AI Experts.”
The session brings together Prof. Abiodun Musa Aibinu, Vice-Chancellor of Summit University, Offa; Prof. Suleiman Yar’Adua, MacArthur Foundation Fellow at Bayero University, Kano; and Dr. Olusola Ayoola, Founder of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Nigeria (RAIN). The panel is moderated by Dr. Aderonke Lawal.
Prof. Abiodun Musa Aibinu stresses that Nigeria’s AI development must begin with a change in mindset and educational reform.
“We need a mindset change to be successful in Nigeria, and Africa by extension,” he says. “In the education space, we must shift from letting our worst teach the rest, to letting the best teach the rest. This is a policy problem we must fix.”
He adds that collaboration among Industry, Academia, Government, and Society is critical for progress.
Prof. Suleiman Yar’Adua builds on this point, urging that African nations domesticate and personalise AI technologies.
“For us to win, we must domesticate and personalise our AI technology,” he says. “This will help us grow as a people without losing touch with our culture, tradition, and realities.”
Dr. Olusola Ayoola cautions that while global AI adoption is rising, Africa must not become overly dependent on external vendors.
“We must be careful. Don’t be too carried away with the AI technology the vendors share with us,” he warns. “As Africans, we must invest in developing our science at home. There is a lot of patent work going underground.”
“Nobody wants you to know the deep understanding of the inner workings. You are good to go with the surface knowledge of AI, and not the technology that drives it in actual sense.”
The conversation underscores the urgent need for African-led AI research, ethical technology development, and cross-sector partnerships to build a more sustainable innovation ecosystem.
11:00 AM — First Panel Session: AI Adoption in Nigeria with Dr. Aderonke Lawal, Dr. Kayode Odeyemi, and Dr. Jubril Abdullahi
Moderator: Habib Oladapo
The first panel session of the day focuses on AI Adoption in Nigeria, featuring Dr. Aderonke Lawal, Dr. Kayode Odeyemi, and Dr. Jubril Abdullahi. The session is moderated by Habib Oladapo.
Dr. Aderonke Lawal, a lecturer and researcher, opens the conversation by addressing the threat of misinformation and disinformation in the digital age.
“Misinformation as well as disinformation are major challenges confronting the world,” she says. “It is no longer true that seeing is believing because we now have tools that can deeply mimic things.”
Dr. Kayode Odeyemi, also a lecturer, follows by emphasising the need for structural alignment in Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem.
“We don’t lack talent,” he says. “In Nigeria, the problem is alignment. We need three elements to be in place, such as clarity, capacity, and collaboration.”
The discussion highlights the critical need for ethical awareness, research-driven innovation, and inter-sector collaboration to ensure that AI adoption in Nigeria supports media integrity and national development.
10:30 AM — Keynote Address by Dapo Olorunyomi, Publisher and CEO, Premium Times (Represented by Monsur Hussain, Innovation Lead, CDIJ)
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of Dapo Olorunyomi, Monsur Hussain reflects on the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in shaping Africa’s media landscape.
He says AI must serve as a tool for inclusion, not exclusion; for democracy, not domination; for truth, not falsehood.
“The fear is not that AI will kill journalism,” Hussain notes, “but the possibility to kill human judgement.”
He emphasises that AI should not replace journalists but empower them to do better journalism, combining technological efficiency with ethical responsibility.
Hussain also calls for Africa to move from consuming innovation to creating it, tailoring AI solutions to reflect the continent’s languages, cultures, and values.
10:20 AM — Welcome address by Seun Akinfolarin, Director, New Thoughts Media Support Foundation
Seun Akinfolarin opens the conference with a powerful message about the future of journalism in the age of artificial intelligence.
He says the newsroom of the future may not have walls, highlighting how technology is redefining how stories are told and consumed.
“AI must democratise comprehension,” Akinfolarin notes, stressing that artificial intelligence should help people understand the world better, regardless of language or background.
“AI will not end journalism. It will make it universal. And we will be the custodians to make it happen,” he says.
He added that AI will not replace journalists but empower them to tell stories that reach more people and inspire deeper engagement.
10:00 AM — Programme Commencement and Recognition of Guests
The event kicks off with the recitation of the national anthem, followed by the formal recognition of key dignitaries and special guests.
In attendance are journalists, media executives, technologists, and policy leaders, all gathered to explore how artificial intelligence can shape the future of journalism and democracy in Nigeria.
“This gathering marks a defining moment in our shared mission to build stronger, more inclusive, and digital newsrooms across Nigeria,” the organisers say.
The organisers note that today’s gathering marks a defining moment in the collective mission to build stronger, more inclusive, and digitally empowered newsrooms across the country.
