The Director General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace, has urged African broadcasters to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) while ensuring ethical safeguards and strong digital policy frameworks.
Ndace made the call on Wednesday during his keynote address at the Broadcasting and Digital Media Convention West Africa, held in Lagos State.
He noted that AI is reshaping the media landscape — from content creation to audience engagement — and advised broadcasters to adopt AI-driven solutions that reflect local realities, citing VON’s digital transformation as a model.
The VON DG outlined the agency’s use of AI for real-time translation, automated programme scheduling, and audience analytics. He further disclosed that VON journalists and producers have received training in AI-assisted editing.
“Africa’s media narrative must not be outsourced to others. We must tell our stories with intelligence and integrity. VON is ready to lead that charge,” Ndace declared.
While highlighting the potential of AI, he warned against its indiscriminate adoption, pointing to the risks of misinformation, algorithmic bias, and job displacement.
He called for closer collaboration among African governments, media organisations, tech companies, and academic institutions to design policies that support the ethical use of AI in broadcasting.
Ndace also reaffirmed his vision of VON as a digital-first, AI-powered broadcaster that projects Nigeria’s soft power and amplifies Africa’s voice globally.
The Broadcasting and Digital Media Convention – West Africa 2025 gathered industry leaders, innovators, and stakeholders to shape the future of broadcasting in the region, with a focus on expanding universal access to fully digital media services across West Africa.
PIAK