The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists NAWOJ Katsina State Chapter has sought a strategic partnership with the Katsina State Directorate of Information and Communications Technology KATDICT to strengthen the digital skills, online safety and professional capacity of women journalists in the state
The association made the request on Wednesday during a courtesy visit to the Directorate, where it identified artificial intelligence AI, social media management, mobile journalism, digital storytelling, cybersecurity and fact-checking as key areas for collaboration.
Speaking during the engagement, the Director General of KATDICT Naufal Ahmad welcomed the initiative and assured NAWOJ of the Directorate’s readiness to support the association through structured capacity building programmes.
“When you have women and information or technology in the same sentence, it is something that I am always happy to be a part of,” Ahmad said.
He said requests relating to digital skills development, online security and protection of social media platforms would be considered as part of a structured partnership between KATDICT and NAWOJ.
The Director General, challenged beneficiaries of the proposed training programmes to adopt a “pay it forward” approach by sharing the knowledge and skills acquired with other members of the association.
Ahmad stressed that the media had an important role to play in shaping society but expressed concern over the underrepresentation of women and young people in public discourse.
He urged NAWOJ to use its position to amplify the voices of women and young people and ensure that their perspectives were adequately reflected in news reporting, public discussions and government decision making processes.
“When and if the majority do not speak up, do not get to shape the news or become the news, it is very problematic,” he said.
The KATDICT boss also raised concerns over the increasing spread of misinformation and disinformation, particularly with the rapid development of artificial intelligence which he said had made it easier to create convincing but false photographs, videos and other digital materials.
He urged journalists to improve their ability to identify manipulated and AI-generated content and strengthen their fact-checking and verification skills before publishing information.
Ahmad further called on journalists to maintain professional ethics and standards, particularly as the country approaches another politically sensitive period when the spread of false information could have serious consequences for society.
He noted that misinformation and disinformation could undermine public trust and cause significant harm, stressing the need for public education, professional responsibility and effective enforcement of existing laws.
Earlier, the Chairperson of NAWOJ, Katsina State Chapter Hajiya Fatima Sanda Kaita said the visit was aimed at establishing a lasting institutional partnership with KATDICT rather than creating a one-off engagement.
Kaita requested practical training for women journalists on the use of AI tools for journalism, particularly in research, transcription, translation, content development, fact-checking and improving newsroom productivity.
She also sought capacity building in social media management and digital storytelling across major platforms including Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, YouTube and LinkedIn.
According to her, digital fact-checking and information verification have become increasingly important as journalists now encounter sophisticated manipulated, misleading and AI-generated materials in the course of their work.
The NAWOJ chairperson appealed to KATDICT to include members of the association in relevant digital skills and technology programmes organised or supported by the Directorate.
Kaita also expressed the association’s readiness to deploy its extensive media network to promote public awareness on digital literacy, responsible technology use, online safety and the fight against misinformation
She said a partnership between both organisations would not only strengthen the professional capacity of women journalists but also contribute to the broader digital transformation agenda of the Katsina State Government.
The two organisations expressed optimism that the proposed collaboration would create sustainable opportunities for women journalists to acquire relevant digital competencies and adapt to the rapidly changing media environment.
They agreed to work through designated focal persons to develop a roadmap, identify priority programmes and establish practical areas of cooperation between NAWOJ and KATDICT.
