HARNESSING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) IN NIGERIAN BROADCASTING: OPPORTUNITIES, CHALLENGES, AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Keywords:
Artificial Intelligence, Nigerian Broadcasting, National Development, Digital Divide, Media PolicyAbstract
This study investigated the harnessing of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Nigerian broadcasting, focusing on opportunities, challenges, and policy implications for national development. Despite the global shift toward automated newsrooms, Nigerian media organisations face unique socio-technical hurdles. The adoption of AI tools by Nigerian broadcasters has been fragmented. The research was anchored on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Utilising a qualitative research design and phenomenological approach, the study purposively sampled 20 broadcast professionals across Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and documentary analysis, then analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Findings revealed that Nigerian broadcasters are significantly aware of the adoption of AI in broadcasting. The study recommended the development of localised Natural Language Processing (NLP) models and the implementation of a state-supported AI policy framework.
References
Agility. (2025). Artificial intelligence in broadcasting: Awareness and perception of government policy. OpenEdition Journals. https://journals.openedition.org/ctd/13070
AIBase.ng. (2025, November 26). AI regulations in Nigeria: Current laws, draft policies and what comes next. https://aibase.ng/ai-ethics-policy/ai-regulations-in-nigeria/
Akinrinade, A. A. &Oluyege, K. O. (2026). Assessing the ethical implications of the adoption of artificial intelligence by broadcast stations in Lagos State, Nigeria. Path of Science, 12(1), 8001–8012. https://doi.org/10.22178/pos.125-40
Akpan, E. E. (2025). Adoption of artificial intelligence in news production by select broadcast stations in North-Central, Nigeria. International Journal of Sub-Saharan African Research, 3(1), 111–124. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15096728
Anyanwu, B. &Iheonye, A. U. (2024). Impacts of artificial intelligence application on contemporary broadcast media practice in Nigeria. IMSU Journal of Communication Studies, 8(2), 156-168.
Aondover, E. M., Adikuru, C. C. & Shadrach, I. T. (2025). Integration of artificial intelligence and performance of broadcasting companies in Nigeria. Britain International of Humanities and Social Sciences (BIoHS) Journal, 7(1), 92–109. https://doi.org/10.52589/BJMCMR-DVI0HZ1S
Ajijola, B. A. &Yahaya, A. L. B. (2025). Rethinking broadcasting in the age of AI: A conceptual exploration of its impact on Nigerian radio stations. Concrescence Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, 2(2). https://journals.casjournals.com/index.php/cCJMPR/article/view/113
Asiimwe, B. (2025). Digital tools and AI: Ethical and cognitive challenges in communication frameworks. IDOSR Journal of Current Issues in Arts and Humanities, 11(1), 30–35. https://www.idosr.org/idosr-jciah-11100/
Balogun, F. &Mfon, A. (2026). Artificial intelligence and the newsroom: An empirical analysis of ethical literacy among broadcast journalists in Lagos. Journal of African Media & Technology, 14(2), 210–225. https://doi.org/10.1017/jamt.2026.04
Bello, A., Salawu, A., &Opeyemi, O. (2025). Ethical implications of artificial intelligence and robotics in Nigerian journalism practice. Journal of African Media Studies, 17(2), 145–162. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/400784010
Bello, S., Salaudeen, A. I., &Umeaku, P. C. (2025). Perception of Nigerian journalists in Lagos and Kwara States towards adopting artificial intelligence in journalism practice. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 12(1), 1–15.
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2025). Reporting guidelines for qualitative research: A values-based approach. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 22(3), 399–438. https://doi.org/10.1080/14780887.2024.2394521
British Educational Research Association (BERA). (2024). Ethical guidelines for educational research (5th ed.). https://www.bera.ac.uk/publication/ethical-guidelines-for-educational-research-fifth-edition-2024
Davis, F. D. (1989). Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and user acceptance of information technology. MIS Quarterly, 13(3), 319–340. https://doi.org/10.2307/249008
European Commission (2020). White paper on artificial intelligence: A European approach to excellence and trust. Publication Office of European Union. https://ec.europa.eu
Ezeaka, C. &Umennebuaku, N. (2024). Adopting artificial intelligence in broadcast media in Nigeria: A conceptual approach. 8001-8013.
Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy. (2025). National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (NAIS) 2025: Empowering Nigeria's digital future. Government Press. https://fmcide.gov.ng/initiative/nais/
Gondwe, G. (2024). Algorithmic bias and the marginalisation of non-Western narratives in AI journalism. Journal of Media and Communication, 12(1), 22-35.
Gondwe, G. (2024). Artificial intelligence and the future of journalism in Africa: Ethical and practical challenges. Journal of African Media Studies, 16(1), 3-15. https://doi.org/10.1386/jams_00112_1
Gwadi, P. &Igbashangev, B. (2024). The impact of AI on investigative journalism: Opportunities and challenges for Nigerian media professionals. SEAHI Publications.
KICTANet Think Tank. (2025, October 16). AI in African newsrooms: Ethics, trust, and the human touch. https://www.kictanet.or.ke/ai-in-african-newsrooms-ethics-trust-and-the-human-touch/
Munoriyarwa, A., & de-Lima-Santos, M. F. (2025). Generative AI in journalism and journalism education: Promise, peril, and the Global North–South divide. Al Jazeera Media Institute. https://institute.aljazeera.net/en/ajr/article/3505
National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (NAIS), Final document, National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR).
Newman, N., Fletcher, R., Robertson, C. T., Ross Arguedas, A., & Nielsen, R. K. (2024). Reuters Institute digital news report 2024. Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism. https://doi.org/10.60625/risj-vy6n-4v57
Nishal, S. &Diakopoulos, N. (2024). Ethical frameworks for AI in journalism: Balancing innovation and integrity. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 15(3), 112-128.
Nwodu, G. E., Okorie, C. R. and Udoh, A. (2025). AI in broadcasting: A study of implications on information dissemination within Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State. Nigeria Journal of Mass Communication and Media Research, 5(1), 92-109.
Obari, A. O. O (2025). Artificial Intelligence and its influence in content creation in broadcasting: A study of selected stations in Nigeria. Global Academic Star/Conference paper.
Okambga, J. (2025, May 12). NBC mulls AI rules to protect media industry. Punch Newspaper. https://punchng.com/nbc-mulls-ai-rules-to-protect-media-industry/
Okamgba, J. (2025, April 7). Job opportunities in AI field. Punch Newspapers. https://punchng.com/job-opportunities-in-ai-field/
Okorie, C. R., Nsude, I., Nwodu, G. E. &Udoh, W. A. (2025). AI in broadcasting: A study of implications on information dissemination within Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State, Nigeria. British Journal of Mass Communication and Media Research, 5(1), 92-109.
Oladele, P. O. &Olajide, F. T. (2025). Digital disruption and ethical consciousness: Assessing AI awareness among media practitioners in South-West Nigeria. Journal of Communication and Media Research, 17(1), 45–59.
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. (2007). OECD communications outlook 2007. https://doi.org/10.1787/comms_outlook-2007-en
Rodney, W. (2018). How Europe underdeveloped Africa. London: Verso.
Sachs, J. D. (2015). The age of sustainable development. New York: Columbia University Press.
Scire, S. (2024, February 12). AI adoption in newsrooms presents a "familiar power imbalance." Nieman Journalism Lab.
Stahl, B. C. & Eke, D. O. (2024). The ethics of ChatGPT: Exploring the ethical issues of an emerging technology. International Journal of Information Management, 74, 102700.
Tanaka, K. & Lee, S. (2025). The dollarization of AI: Geopolitical implications of U.S. compute dominance in Southeast Asia. In The 10th IAFOR International Conference on Education – Hawaii 2025: Official Conference Proceedings (pp. 112–125). International Academic Forum. https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2189-1036.2025.4
Todaro, M. P. & Smith, S. C. (2020). Economic development (13th ed.). New York: Pearson.
TVC Communication (2025, May 1). TVC News debuts Nigeria’s first AI–enabled anchor for its English, Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo and Pidgin bulletins [Press release]. TVC Communication.
TVC News (2025, May 3). Nigeria commits to responsible adoption of AI in journalism. https://www.tvcnews.tv/nigeria-commits-to-responsible-adoption-ofai-in-journalism/
Uche, A. O., Obiora, A. V., &Nwabudike, F. C. (2025). Ethical considerations and applications of AI-generated content in communication and media studies in Nigeria. British Journal of Contemporary Education, 5(1), 48-58.
Umejei, E., Ayisi, A., Phiri, M. &Tallam, E. (2025). Artificial intelligence and journalism in four African countries: Appropriation and practice. Journalism Practice, 19(10), 2249–2265.
United Nations Development Programme (2022). Human development report 2022. UNDP. https://hdr.undp.org
WAN-IFRA. (2025). Innovation in news media world report 2025–26. World Association of News Publishers.
Zayani, M., &Sahraoui, S. (2007). The culture of Al Jazeera: Inside an Arab giant. McFarland.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Author
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
