By Abiodun Lawal
Sen. Shuaib Salis, the Chairman, Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security, has announced that Nigeria will soon launch a 90,000-kilometre fibre optic network nationwide to boost digital penetration.
Salis disclosed this on Monday in Abeokuta during the opening ceremony of the 2025 Press Week of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun council.
At the programme themed, “The Future of Journalism: Navigating AI and Objective Reporting,” the senator predicted a revolution in Nigeria’s digital communication landscape.
He said that the Federal Government, under President Bola Tinubu, is set to deploy 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic broadband across the country, stressing that the development would cover all states, local governments and wards.
“This government under President Bola Tinubu is going to deploy 90,000 kilometres fibre optic broadband across the country.
“Not just in some states, not just in some local governments; there is no ward that will not have fibre optic presence.
“A number of studies have confirmed that any 10 per cent increase in your fibre penetration in the country will lead to a minimum of two per cent increase in your Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth.
“So, just imagine if you deploy more technology; and it is very easy to fathom. Just imagine we have fibre optic in all our wards.
“I just came back from the UN General Assembly with Minister of Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani where we went to preach this to investors to come and invest in Nigeria,” he said.
According to the lawmaker, a significant challenge for professional journalists is the potential for AI to exacerbate quackery in the industry.
He emphasised the need to integrate technology into the curriculum for mass communication and journalism training.
“The challenge for professional journalists is that AI also has the potential of increasing the incidence of quackery in the profession.
“So, what do we need to do? Our curriculum for mass communication and journalism training institute must embed technology into the curriculum.
The Ogun State Head of Service, Mr Kehinde Onasanya, in his keynote address, emphasised ethical dimension.
Onasanya noted that Nigeria lacks clear regulatory guidelines on disclosing AI-generated content, including images, audio, and video.
He urged the leadership of the union to publish a widely adopted code of practice to address AI.
In his speech, the Chairman of the council, Wale Olanrewaju. noted that the council has recorded milestones progress and development in less than three years.
Olanrewaju stated that AI has changed the way news are gathered, processed and disseminated.
“As a union, our responsibility is to prepare our members not just to adapt, but to lead in this new reality. We must ensure that technology enhances our credibility rather than diminish it,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event featured a panel discussion moderated by Prof . Dele Odunlami, Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye.
The discussants included Mr Kunle Durosimi, President, Ogun Tech Community and Registrar, West Midlands Open University and Mr Lekan Adeeko, AI Enthusiast and Co-founder, Tedprime Hub.
They deliberated on the merits and demerits of using AI as journalists.
The speakers urged journalists to maintain professionalism when utilising AI in their work, highlighting its potential to foster national unity and cohesion. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Yetunde Fatungase
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