The Oyo State Government has attributed its record ₦103 billion Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in 2025 to the deliberate application of science, data and technology, a strategy that has enabled the state to surpass the combined IGR performance of the two previous administrations.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, disclosed this while addressing journalists at a two-day Artificial Intelligence (AI) training organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, in collaboration with the American Open University, Nigeria, held at the university’s Global Campus in Ibadan.
Prince Oyelade explained that the Seyi Makinde-led administration achieved the historic revenue milestone without increasing taxes, but through strategic digitisation reforms across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
He cited the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development as an example of an MDA that has blocked financial leakages, reduced fraud and expanded the state’s economic base through technology-driven processes.
According to him, the success recorded in governance mirrors the opportunities available to journalists if they embrace responsible use of Artificial Intelligence.
Describing the training as epochal, the Commissioner said the programme was timely, especially at a period when journalism is being tested by misgovernance, corruption and the growing spread of undemocratic tendencies across the globe.
“While Artificial Intelligence comes with its challenges, its proper deployment can strengthen news gathering, improve investigative reporting and enhance public trust in the media.
“Studies have shown that Artificial Intelligence is already a quintessential part of journalism, not just for today, but for the future,” Oyelade said.
Delivering a lecture titled “Empowering Journalists with Artificial Intelligence for Ethical, Innovative and Future-Ready Journalism,” the Vice Chancellor of American Open University, Prof. Seyi Akanbi, said AI has become a strategic necessity in modern journalism.
He noted that Artificial Intelligence is redefining how news is gathered, verified and disseminated, while also raising ethical concerns such as deepfakes, algorithmic bias and automated misinformation, which journalists must be equipped to confront.
Also speaking, the Chairman of NUJ, Oyo State Council, Comrade Akeem Abbas, said Artificial Intelligence can only replace journalists who fail to update their digital skills.
According to Abbas, a digitally empowered journalist is not a threat to national development, but a strategic partner in nation-building.
He explained that with AI competence, journalists could function as media consultants offering data analysis, content strategy and communication advisory services to governments, institutions and the private sector.
He added that journalists could also build media and technology startups, fact-checking platforms, local data hubs, investigative journalism labs, digital storytelling studios and AI-assisted news platforms that serve niche audiences.
Abbas further stated that journalists can operate as policy advisers and public communication experts, supporting government agencies, legislators and development institutions with research-based insights, public engagement strategies and evidence-driven narratives.
He described the training, which involves 120 journalists, as a fulfilment of his campaign promise of policy-driven unionism.
“This training is not charity, but capacity building. It aligns with Nigeria’s Digital Economy Agenda, which prioritises digital skills, innovation, entrepreneurship and human capital development.
“AI will not replace journalists; it will only replace journalists who refuse to learn,” Abbas said.
He urged participants to move beyond routine reporting to analytical and solution-oriented journalism, calling on them to interrogate data, interpret policies and enlighten citizens in ways that strengthen democracy and accountability.
“Journalism has survived every technological disruption because it adapts without surrendering its soul. Artificial Intelligence must amplify human judgment, not replace it; it must serve democracy, not undermine it,” Abbas added.
