Abeokuta: Sen. Shuaib Salis, Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security, has revealed plans for Nigeria to deploy a 90,000-kilometre fibre optic network nationwide to enhance digital technology. This announcement was made during the opening ceremony of the 2025 Press Week of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun council, held in Abeokuta.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Sen. Salis emphasized that the Federal Government, under President Bola Tinubu, is committed to deploying this expansive fibre optic broadband across every state, local government, and ward in the country. He highlighted studies indicating that a 10 per cent increase in fibre penetration could result in a minimum two per cent GDP growth. The senator shared insights from his recent trip to the UN General Assembly with the Minister of Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, where they encouraged investors to explore opportunities in Nigeria.
The lawmaker also discussed challenges facing professional journalists, particularly the risk of AI contributing to quackery in the industry. He stressed the importance of incorporating technology into mass communication and journalism education to address these challenges.
Ogun State's Head of Service, Mr Kehinde Onasanya, underlined the ethical concerns related to AI, pointing out Nigeria's lack of regulatory guidelines for AI-generated content. He called for the union to establish a code of practice for AI.
Wale Olanrewaju, Chairman of the council, highlighted the transformative impact of AI on journalism, emphasizing the need for the union to lead in adapting to new technological realities while maintaining credibility.
The event featured a panel discussion, with contributions from Mr Kunle Durosimi and Mr Lekan Adeeko, focusing on AI's role in journalism. The panelists urged journalists to uphold professionalism in using AI to promote national unity and cohesion.