But who could resist the call of the ever energetic Octogenarian Journalism veteran and former Ogun State Governor, Olusegun Osoba? In no less a tone than a directive, he urged the leadership of the Nigerian Union of Journalist to set up an online directory of accredited journos in Nigeria. This, according to him, could be updated from time to time and will definitely help reduce incidents of fakery by criminals pretending to be journos. Osoba spoke at the first of my three consecutive events which was the 70th anniversary celebration of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) held in Abuja June 21, 2025.  The event offered me much more than nostalgia. It was a precious opportunity to further stir up reflections on the tech-driven practice of journalism in an age where Digital Technology especially Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping texture of human civilization from all angles.

As the guest speaker, I had, before Chief Osoba, recalled how fast and profoundly DigiTech is playing out for humanity, in ways that make the old newsroom typewriters of the NUJ’s founding era look like relics from another planet. Today, journalists in Nigeria cannot afford to be passive observers of this unfolding digital revolution. Instead, they must identify relevant AI tools and deploy them ethically—not only to enhance their productivity but also to elevate the quality and credibility of their work.

I recalled how it all started for me  with Google Alert all the way to the AI Marvels of today.

To put this in perspective, I reminded my colleagues of the humble beginnings of Google Alert, one of the simplest, yet most enduring digital tools. Introduced over two decades ago, it allowed journalists and researchers to automatically receive updates on topics of interest. Though basic, it revolutionized content monitoring and remains relevant till today.

If something as “small” as Google Alert could sustain its relevance, one can only imagine the potentials of today’s advanced AI applications—from natural language processing to automated fact-checking, real-time transcription, data visualization, and even predictive analytics. The message was clear: AI is not just a fleeting trend; it is a transformative force journalists must embrace to stay afloat in the competitive media ecosystem.

Osoba later reinforced my advice. He pointedly asserted that all journalists in Nigeria must up their ante in the knowledge and use of digital technology, including AI. He reminded the audience that the survival of journalism depends on its practitioners adapting quickly to the realities of this digital age. “The world will not wait for us,” he cautioned. “If we fail to catch up, we risk being irrelevant in the very profession we built with so much sweat and sacrifice.”

His admonition echoed my earlier point: it is no longer about whether journalists should embrace AI, but how fast and ethically they can do so.

Next on my plate was the Lagos July 23-24, 2025 workshop organised for members of the Association for Communication Scholars and Practitioners of Nigeria, ACSPN, on Artificial Intelligence by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development, CJID. With the energetic and focused Director, Akintunde Babatunde, in full charge of coordination, the onus was on me as the only Board Member of CJID to welcome ACSPN colleagues to the all-important training programme for members in southern Nigeria. A similar one for members in the north had taken place in Abuja much earlier.

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For me, the momentum generated at the NUJ anniversary flowed seamlessly into the workshop organized by CJID Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) workshop on AI for members of the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN) in southern Nigeria.

I seized the opportunity to register the fact that it was not just another training session but a historic one to treasure. The workshop featured diverse presentations on different dimensions of AI application for communication experts and scholars alike.

As we unveiled these themes at different fora, one thing became certain: DigiTech and AI are not coming tomorrow; they are already here.

From demonstrations of AI-driven investigative tools to explorations of generative AI for academic research and digital content production, participants were exposed to the boundless possibilities of integrating AI into their professional lives. The sessions, as expected with academics, stirred up infinite thoughts including questions about ethics, challenges of data privacy and, most importantly, the opportunities for innovation in storytelling, teaching, and public engagement.

The intellectual energy in the room was palpable. It reinforced the fact that journalists and communication scholars in Nigeria cannot afford to be left behind. We must not only consume digital innovations but also actively shape how they are localized, contextualized, and ethically applied in our environment.

Not long after these two events came yet another platform for me to share related thoughts on DigiTech. It was the end-of-session ceremony of Adedokun International School, Ota, where I was privileged to be the guest speaker.

My address, titled “Inflection Point Theory and the Rest of Us”, was a continuation of the conversation. Contextualising the theme properly, I explained that humanity was at an inflection point where the acceleration of digital technologies is dramatically altering learning environments as well as professional practices.

For the students and parents present, I emphasized that DigiTech is not only the story of gadgets, apps, or platforms; it is about life itself. Education is being reshaped by e-learning platforms, virtual classrooms, and AI tutors that personalize learning for each student. “Professions are being disrupted as automation takes over repetitive tasks while creating new opportunities in areas that demand human creativity and ethical judgment.

I added that “the future will belong to those who are not technophobic or intimidated by technology but who understand it enough to use it responsibly. For young learners especially, it is about cultivating digital literacy early so they can become not only consumers of knowledge but also creators and innovators in a tech-driven world.

When we connect the dots between these events—the NUJ’s 70th anniversary with  Osoba’s reinforcement of powerful call to action, the CJID-ACSPN workshop, and the Ota school lecture—we see a larger narrative unfolding. It is the story of journalism and society at large standing at the edge of profound transformation.

For Nigerian journalists, the lessons are unmistakable:

AI is not optional. The profession must embrace it to survive and thrive.

Ethics remain paramount. As powerful as AI is, it must be deployed responsibly to protect truth, privacy, and the dignity of human beings.

Continuous learning is the new normal. From Google Alerts to cutting-edge AI, the pace of change demands that journalists should endeavour to become lifelong learners.

Collaboration is also key. NUJ, ACSPN, and CJID must continue to pool expertise, share resources, and create opportunities for journalists and communication professionals to build digital capacity.

From Google Alerts to generative AI, from Osoba’s clarion call to the fresh ideas bubbling at ACSPN workshops, and from academic reflections to conversations in schools, the message is clear: inflection is upon us, all the way. Journalists, scholars, students, and indeed all of society must rise to the moment.

As we unveiled these themes at different fora, one thing became certain: DigiTech and AI are not coming tomorrow; they are already here. And the sooner we embrace them with courage, creativity, and conscience, the better prepared we are for the future that has already commenced unfolding.

*Akanni is a Professor of Journalism and Development Communications at LASU, Nigeria.

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Prof. Umaru Pate, President ACSPN, said this during a condolence visit by delegates of ACSPN to late Oso’s residence at Sagamu, Ogun State, on Thursday.

Oso, aged 67, died in a car accident on June 24, while returning from a conference at the Delta State University, Abraka.

He was a professor of Communications at the Lagos State University, LASU.

Pate, who is also the Vice-Chancellor, Federal University Kashere, Gombe, commiserated with the deceased wife,  Bimbola Oso, the children and the entire family.

The ACSPN president who was represented by the National Publicity Secretary, Mr Lanre Arogundade, urged the family to take solace in the fact that the deceased lived a life of total service to humanity through his academic and public interest pursuits.

“His death is an unfortunate reality and a painful development because he was a noble and amiable personality to those he left behind.

“His accomplishments shall stand as monuments in the history of media and journalism, mass communication and advocacy for good governance in Nigeria.

“We at ACSPN can further attest to his outstanding scholarship and expertise in the field of media and mass communication, not just in Nigeria but globally. He has mentored younger generations of scholars and professionals in the two fields which explained why he willingly served as external examiner to many universities.

“He was a scholar who helped to make scholars out of scholars through knowledge building, scholarly articles and book publication,” he said.

Recounting some of the late don’s achievement as a pioneer president of ACSPN, Pate said his meritorious service in the association provided the deceased a desired platform to pursue his ambition.

According to him, late Oso’s zeal made him to make the gown to meet the town in the fields of mass communication and the media for the two professions to serve as catalysts of democratic governance and development.

He said: “Late Oso began the process which led to the unbundling of the Mass Communication curriculum, following a curriculum development workshop for journalism courses organised by ACSPN and UNESCO in 2015.”

The president prayed for the wife, children and entire family that the Almighty God strengthened them during the difficult times and abide with them in the days and years to come.

The late don also worked as a correspondent in both Radio Nigeria and the News Agency of Nigeria.

He taught Media and Communications at the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, Ogun; Caleb University, Imota, Lagos; and LASU, Ojo, Lagos.

ACSPN special delegates that visited the family are, Prof. Akeredolu-Ale, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Prof. Rotimi Olatunji, Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, LASU.

Others are, Mr Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director, International Press Centre/ACSPN National Publicity Secretary; Dr Yemisi Bamgbose, Executive Secretary, Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria; Dr Dele Odunlami, HOD Mass Communication, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Ogun.

Source: NAN

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This was as the group said it was a huge loss to the Nigerian and global mass communication and journalism community.

In a statement by its Public Relations Officer, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, the group said Professor Oso became the President of ACSPN in 2014, after the incorporation of the association late in 2013, and served meritoriously till the year 2020 when he passed the baton of leadership to the current President, Prof. Umaru Pate, Vice Chancellor of Federal University, Kashere, Gombe State.

“Professor Oso held the firm conviction that the meeting of the gown and town would benefit the mass communication and media fields for the maximum impact of both professions on democracy and development. He pursued this conviction relentlessly and his death is a collective loss,” Prof. Pate said in a statement today.

Prof. Nosa Owens-Ibie, the General Secretary of ACSPN and Vice Chancellor of Caleb University, Imota, Lagos, in his tribute also said: “Under his tenure the Association began the process by producing in collaboration with UNESCO and other stakeholders, the first draft of what has now been launched as the Unbundled Mass Communication curriculum, following a curriculum development workshop for communication and journalism courses in November 2015”.

“He was a scholar who helped to make scholars out of others through knowledge building, scholarly articles and book publications, and it was also under him that ACSPN commenced many niche programmes, including its mentorship series, and organised town-meet-gown training and knowledge sharing events across the country,” Prof. Owens-Ibie said further.

Even out of office as President, Prof. Oso remained a pillar of support for ASCPN and actively participated in the organisation’s zonal and national events, the last being the Annual Conference held at Rockview Hotel, Abuja in September 2022.

Prof. Oso was affable and humble, qualities that endeared him to the younger generation of media and communication scholars and professionals who constantly sought his support and mentorship.

His services were also constantly demanded by institutions of higher learning and the civil society.

It is regrettable that he died while returning from Delta State University (DELSU) where he served as external examiner at the University till the day before.

Among others, Prof. Oso taught media and communications at the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, Caleb University, Imota, Lagos, and the Lagos State University, Ojoo.

ACSPN extends its heartfelt condolences to the wife and children of Prof. Oso, his other relations, associates and colleagues.

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