Media Affairs
Journalism Outlook Conference 2026: Media Leaders Call for AI-Driven Innovation to Save Local Newspapers
Media executives, journalism educators and industry experts have called for a radical transformation of Nigeria’s local newspaper industry, warning that innovation, artificial intelligence and sustainable business models are now essential for survival in a rapidly changing digital media landscape.
The call came during the Journalism Outlook Conference 2026, organised by Caleb University, Imota, Lagos, under the theme: “Reinventing Local Newspapers in the Digital Age: Innovation, Sustainability and Global Community Impact.”
The conference brought together newspaper proprietors, publishers, editors, journalists, media technology experts, digital entrepreneurs and communication scholars to examine how local journalism can remain relevant while preserving its democratic responsibility.
Why it matters
Local newspapers remain critical to Nigeria’s democracy because they monitor local governments, amplify community voices and provide trusted information on issues that directly affect citizens.
However, speakers warned that declining newspaper circulation, shrinking advertising revenue, rising production costs, artificial intelligence, misinformation and changing audience behaviour are threatening the future of community journalism.
They noted that according to the Reuters Institute Digital News Report 2026, more than half of global news audiences now access news primarily through digital platforms, while younger consumers increasingly rely on social media, podcasts, newsletters and video platforms.
Vice Chancellor: Credible journalism not paper is the real product
Opening the conference, the Vice Chancellor of Caleb University, Prof. Olalekan Asikhia, said newspapers must reinvent themselves without abandoning their responsibility to strengthen democracy.
He identified declining print circulation, reduced advertising revenue, increasing operational costs, AI-generated content, misinformation and declining public trust as some of the biggest challenges confronting local journalism.
Despite those pressures, Asikhia argued that local journalism remains one of society’s most trusted institutions when it demonstrates independence, credibility and accountability.
“The digital revolution killed obsolete business models, not newspapers themselves,” he said.
According to him, newspapers should stop thinking of paper as their product.
“The core product is credible information, not paper.”
He urged media organisations to rethink their methods of content delivery, audience engagement, newsroom culture, revenue generation and technological capability.
The Vice Chancellor also stressed that local newspapers continue to preserve indigenous languages and culture, strengthen community identity, promote development communication and provide investigative reporting that national media often cannot replicate.
Veteran publisher: Advertising remains journalism’s lifeblood
Delivering the keynote address titled “Reimagining Local Newspapers in a Platform-Driven World: Global Lessons in Digital Transformation, Innovation and Sustainability,” veteran newspaper proprietor Mr Monsur Olowosoga reflected on more than four decades in journalism.
He thanked Caleb University for inviting him despite another engagement and narrated his journalism journey from the 1970s through his studies in London and his work at Daily Times, Daily Pilot and National Concord.
He explained that while studying in the United Kingdom, he observed that community newspapers concentrated almost entirely on local affairs, inspiring him to establish Oriwu Sun Newspaper after leaving National Concord in 1985.
He said the newspaper started with about ₦40,000 from his father’s residence and has remained in operation for approximately 41 years.
Olowosoga repeatedly described advertising as the foundation of newspaper sustainability.
“No newspaper can survive without advertising revenue,” he said, adding that the principle applies equally to print and digital publications.
He advised publishers to prioritise community reporting because readers are primarily interested in developments affecting their immediate environment.
He also encouraged young journalists to embrace digital technology without compromising integrity, objectivity and professionalism.
According to him, credibility remains the most valuable asset any journalist can possess.
Editors’ Guild advocates digital transformation
In a goodwill message delivered on behalf of the Vice President (West) of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Dr. Kabir Alabi Garba, participants were reminded that digital technology has permanently changed how audiences consume news.
The Guild urged traditional media organisations to strengthen their online presence through responsive websites, mobile applications and strategic use of social media platforms.
It also encouraged publishers to use audience data and analytics to better understand reader behaviour and improve engagement.
According to the message, local media remain essential to community development by providing information on governance, education, healthcare, agriculture, security and other public services.
The Guild further encouraged collaborations between Nigerian media organisations and international partners to expand the global reach of community stories while promoting sustainable business practices.
NIJ Provost: Journalism education must prepare students for AI
Speaking on “Training the Next Generation of Journalists for Digital Innovation and Global Impacts,” the Provost of the Nigeria Institute of Journalism, Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, said journalism education must evolve to meet the realities of today’s digital ecosystem.
He expressed concern that many young journalists are unfamiliar with Nigerian newspapers because they consume information almost entirely through digital platforms.
Reflecting on the industry’s past, he recalled that his newspaper printed more than 300,000 copies daily in 1984, compared with significantly lower circulation today.
He observed that today’s digital creators operate independently, using laptops and smartphones to report, film, edit and publish stories without traditional newsroom structures.
According to Adefaye, journalism schools must therefore move beyond conventional teaching methods.
He identified artificial intelligence as “the next thing” in journalism education and urged institutions to invest in modern studios, multimedia production facilities and digital storytelling technologies.
He also called for stronger emphasis on audience engagement, analytics and interactive journalism rather than simply transferring stories from newspapers to websites.
At the same time, he insisted that ethics, integrity and cultural sensitivity must remain central as journalism reaches increasingly global audiences.
Panel seeks stronger university-industry partnership
A panel discussion moderated by Dr. Solomon Oyeleye featured media professionals Blessing Oladunjoye, Lekan Otufodunrin and Mr. Monsor Olowosoga.
The panel argued that journalism should be taught as both a public service and a business.
According to the speakers, many journalists understand editorial work but lack the business knowledge required to manage successful media organisations.
They also highlighted the financial challenges facing independent digital publishers, including advertising, funding, user experience design and attracting long-term commercial partnerships.
The panel recommended that universities appoint experienced newsroom professionals as Professors of Practice, strengthen internship programmes and establish industrial advisory boards involving editors, publishers and media entrepreneurs.
Students were encouraged to build professional portfolios through podcasts, YouTube channels, photography, newsletters and other multimedia projects while developing expertise in specialised reporting areas and community journalism.
Industry perspective
Media analysts say the conference reflects growing recognition that journalism can no longer rely solely on traditional business models.
They argue that sustainable local journalism will require a combination of technological innovation, diversified revenue streams, entrepreneurial thinking and continued public trust.
What’s next?
Participants agreed that the future of Nigerian local newspapers will depend on their ability to combine innovation with credibility.
They said stronger collaboration between universities, media organisations, technology companies and journalism support organisations will be essential to producing reporters equipped for a digital-first, globally connected news industry.
The Obaji Development Foundation (ODF) has opened applications for a five-day residential workshop aimed at helping Nigerian journalists identify and counter disinformation campaigns.
The Nigerian Counter-Disinformation Capacity-Building Workshop will bring together 30 journalists for training on foreign influence and manipulation of information (FIMI), digital forensics, fact-checking and ethical reporting.
Applications opened on 14 September and will close on 18 September 2026.
The workshop will be held in Abuja, according to the foundation.
Why the training matters
Disinformation campaigns can use false or misleading information to influence public debate, shape perceptions and deepen social divisions.
ODF said the growing use of foreign influence and manipulation of information presents a challenge to media integrity and democratic processes in Africa.
The foundation described Nigeria as a major media hub and a potential target for campaigns that exploit local vulnerabilities to influence narratives.
The training is therefore designed to strengthen journalists’ ability to assess information before publishing and to investigate coordinated disinformation campaigns.
What journalists will learn
ODF said participants will receive practical training on identifying, analysing and countering FIMI and other forms of disinformation.
The programme will include interactive sessions, case studies and practical exercises.
According to the foundation, participants will also learn about digital forensic tools and approaches to collaborative journalism.
The organisers said the workshop will focus particularly on disinformation strategies affecting Africa and Nigerian elections.
Other objectives include promoting collaborative fact-checking and investigative journalism networks, as well as strengthening media literacy and public trust in journalism.
Who can apply?
The opportunity is open to Nigerian journalists with at least two years of professional journalism experience.
Applicants must work in print, electronic or online media in Nigeria and be employed by a reputable media or fact-checking organisation.
They must also provide an endorsement from their editor or chief executive.
Applicants are required to show evidence of fact-checking content they have published within the past 12 months.
ODF said successful participants must also be willing to devote time after the training to producing research and analysis on disinformation.
Only one journalist from each organisation can participate.
How to apply
Interested journalists can submit their applications through the online application form provided by the foundation.
The application window runs from 14 to 18 September 2026.
The five-day workshop is fully residential and will take place in Abuja.
The foundation said the programme is intended to build a stronger network of journalists capable of detecting and responding to disinformation while maintaining fact-based and ethical reporting standards.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos State Council, has announced activities for its 2026 Press Week, with former NIMASA Director-General Dakuku Peterside scheduled to deliver the keynote public lecture.
The week-long programme will run from Monday, September 28 to Sunday, October 4, 2026, bringing together journalists, media professionals, journalism students and other stakeholders.
The public lecture, scheduled for Wednesday, September 30, will focus on “Politics, Ports and the Public Interest: The Media’s Catalytic Role in Driving Economic Growth.”
Peterside, a former director-general of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), will speak at the Radio Lagos/Eko FM Multipurpose Hall, LTV Complex, Lateef Jakande Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos.
The event is scheduled to begin at 10am.
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Why the lecture matters
The choice of ports, politics and economic growth as the focus of the lecture comes at a time when Nigeria’s maritime sector remains important to trade, revenue generation and wider economic activity.
The organisers said the lecture is expected to attract maritime experts, media practitioners, policymakers, industry players and journalism students.
The theme also places emphasis on the media’s role in reporting issues that affect the economy and the public interest.
NUJ Lagos explains Press Week focus
NUJ Lagos chairman, Adeleye Ajayi, described the Press Week as an annual opportunity for journalists from different media organisations to interact and strengthen professional relationships.
Ajayi said journalists routinely report issues affecting individuals and society and therefore need opportunities to come together outside their daily reporting responsibilities.
“This is a yearly event that brings journalists from different media houses under one roof.”
He added:
“As journalists, we go the extra mile to report issues affecting other people and society at large. Therefore, coming together to interact, fraternise and strengthen our bond is not out of place.”
According to Ajayi, the council wants the 2026 edition to be one of the most successful Press Week celebrations.
“The Press Week is an event journalists always look forward to, and we must do all within our reach to ensure that this year’s edition remains one of the best,” he said.
Full NUJ Lagos Press Week programme
The programme will open on Monday, September 28, with a Health and Awareness Walk.
The public lecture featuring Peterside will follow on Wednesday, September 30, at the LTV Complex.
On Thursday, October 1, journalists will gather for the Chapel Rendezvous at the LTV premises from 4pm.
A Juma’at Service is scheduled for Friday, October 2, at the Lagos State Secretariat Mosque, CBD, Alausa, Ikeja, from 1pm.
The Press Week will also feature a Gala and Awards Night at the BOS Hall, LTV Complex, Agidingbi, Ikeja, from 4pm.
The programme will end on Sunday, October 4, with a Thanksgiving Service at the Chapel of Christ the Light (Interdenominational), CBD, Alausa, Ikeja. The service will begin at 10am.
What NUJ Lagos wants journalists to do
The council is calling on journalists across Lagos State to participate actively in the activities.
Beyond the social aspect of the celebration, the council said the Press Week is intended to provide opportunities for networking, exchange of ideas, professional bonding and reflection on the contribution of journalism to society.
The 2026 edition is expected to bring together media professionals and stakeholders at a time when questions around journalism, economic reporting and the public interest remain important to Nigeria’s development.
The news of the passing of Dotun Oladipo hit me this morning with a profound sense of loss. Nigeria has lost a distinguished journalist, media entrepreneur, and advocate of ethical journalism. But beyond the public tributes and professional accolades, I have lost a friend, ally, confidant, and brother.
My relationship with Dotun dates back to the late 1990s when we were colleagues at The Punch newspapers. Even then, he stood out as a journalist of uncommon conviction – calm, principled, and deeply committed to the ideals of responsible journalism. We shared similar beliefs about the role of the media in society: to inform truthfully, act responsibly, and serve the public interest.
Our bond endured long after our paths diverged professionally. While I moved into corporate communications and banking, Dotun continued to distinguish himself in journalism, eventually founding The EagleOnline and rising to become President of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP). Our friendship grew even stronger during those years as we found ourselves working from different sides of the communication ecosystem but towards a common goal – promoting professionalism and protecting the integrity of both the media and corporate institutions.
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As President of Association of Corporate Communication & Marketing Professionals in Banks (ACAMB) and Dotun as President of GOCOP, we became partners in progress. Together, we navigated difficult moments, particularly when unprofessional elements sought to undermine the banking industry through misinformation, exaggeration, and outright falsehoods. Dotun was often the voice of reason.
He understood the power of journalism, but equally appreciated the responsibility that came with it. More than once, he stepped in quietly to douse tensions during media crises and helped foster understanding where misunderstanding threatened to prevail.
I fondly remember visiting him at the EagleOnline office in Ogba. With characteristic pride and humility, he personally took me around the premises, sharing his vision and introducing me to members of his team. On that occasion, I also met his wife when she stopped by. It was a glimpse into the man behind the public figure – a devoted family man and an exceptionally warm host.
Dotun never stopped advocating for journalists and media organisations. At every GOCOP conference, he extended invitations to us and consistently urged corporate organisations not to turn their backs on credible media partners. He believed strongly in collaboration, mutual respect, and shared growth. In return, ACAMB always welcomed opportunities to engage with GOCOP and the wider media community.
I was privileged to celebrate his 50th birthday with him among his circle of friends six years ago in Lagos. We remained in touch thereafter, meeting regularly at conferences, seminars, and industry events. I often sought his counsel on media matters, drawing from his vast network and deep understanding of the profession. Not once did he decline a request for guidance or intervention. He was generous with his time, wisdom, and relationships.
Today, I mourn not just a former colleague but a trusted ally, a comrade, and a brother. His departure leaves a void that will be difficult to fill.
To his family, especially his beloved wife and children; to his brother, Tunde – my former classmate, journalism colleague, and banking associate; to the entire GOCOP family and the Nigerian media community, I extend my deepest condolences.
Dotun Oladipo lived a life of impact, friendship, service, and integrity. His footprints are indelible, his legacy enduring, and his memory will remain a source of inspiration to all who had the privilege of knowing him.
May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace.
Rasheed Bolarinwa, a renowned PR/Strategic Communication architect, is the immediate Past President of ACAMB. He writes from Lagos
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