CODE launches $5m media grant to promote AI reporting in Nigeria

Connected Development (CODE), a Nigerian civil society organisation, has unveiled a $5 million media grant to promote AI reporting protocol in Nigeria.

Hamza Lawal, Chief executive officer of CODE said the grant is part of the organisation’s five-year strategic plan to assist journalists in mobilising Nigerians for the ethical use of AI tools

In his remarks, at the one day media dialogue and Launch of the AI Reporting Initiative, themed: Exploring new media opportunities to accelerate development which held in Abuja Tuesday he noted that the integration of artificial intelligence into human activities has completely changed the world.

He noted that, like with any new technology, citizens must grasp the advantages and disadvantages of AI-driven technologies in order to ensure their responsible use.

“The grant aims to encourage journalists to investigate and report on AI-driven solutions and challenges in Nigeria’s development landscape, with a focus on health, education, water sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and transparency and accountability,” Lawal said.

“We have all seen the revolutionary power of new media, whether it is in addressing poverty, expanding access to information and its dissemination, or promoting efficiency and openness in the public and private sectors.

“In Nigeria, we have benefitted from the application of AI to address systemic issues in governance, public service delivery, and accountability. However, like with any new technology, citizens must grasp the advantages and disadvantages of AI-driven technologies in order to ensure their responsible use.”

He further noted that CODE has profited greatly from the generosity of these new technologies in communicating with people living in remote corners of our country and beyond, influencing government policy, and helping marginalised groups to live sustainably.

The CEO added that the CODE’s AI Reporting Initiative is expected to promote the responsible use of AI in Nigeria, while also supporting journalists in their efforts to hold those in power accountable.

Ruth Tene Natsa

Ruth Tene, Assistant Editor, Agric/Solid Minerals/INEC Ruth Tene is an award-winning journalist with over 15 years experience in developmental reporting across several newsrooms, as a reporter, editor and other managerial roles. She holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism from the University of Maiduguri among several other certifications She has attended several trainings and certifications both locally and internationally and has been recognized for her impactful work in humanitarian reporting, receiving the Gold Award for Humanitarian Services from the Amazing Grace Foundation. She is also a recipient of the Home Alliance Fellowship, reflecting her commitment to fostering a more humane, safer and more sustainable planet. An active member of professional journalism bodies, Ruth is affiliated with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), and the Agricultural Correspondents Association of Nigeria (ACAN), where she continues to advocate for excellence, ethical reporting, and development-focused journalism.