Press Release
The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Katsina State Chapter, has sought a partnership with the Katsina State Directorate of Information and Communications Technology (KATDICT) to strengthen the digital capacity, online safety and practice of women journalists.
The association made the request on Wednesday during a courtesy visit, identifying artificial intelligence, social media management, mobile journalism, digital storytelling, cybersecurity and fact-checking as priority areas for collaboration.
Speaking during the engagement, the Director General of KATDICT, Naufal Ahmad, welcomed the initiative and assured the women journalists of the Directorate’s readiness to support the association.
“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,” he said.
The KATDICT boss assured NAWOJ that its requests, in capacity building, digital security and protection of social media platforms, would be considered as part of a structured partnership.
Ahmad also challenged the association to adopt a “pay it forward” approach, urging journalists who benefit from training programmes to transfer the knowledge acquired to other members.
The DG said the media had a responsibility in shaping society, but expressed concern that the voices of women and young people remained underrepresented. He tasked NAWOJ with using its position to amplify their voices and ensure that their perspectives become part of public discourse and government decision-making.
“When and if the majority do not speak up, do not get to shape the news or become the news, it is very problematic,” Ahmad said.
Ahmad expressed concern over individuals presenting themselves as journalists without adequate training or respect for professional ethics, saying AI tools had made it easier to produce convincing but false photographs, videos and other materials capable of misleading the public.
He urged journalists to strengthen their ability to identify misinformation, disinformation and manipulated or AI-generated content while adhering strictly to professional standards, particularly as the country approaches another politically sensitive period.
The DG noted that misinformation and disinformation could cause serious harm to society, stressing the need for public education, professional responsibility and 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 a one-off engagement.
Kaita requested training in the practical use of AI for journalism, including research, transcription, translation, content development, fact-checking and productivity enhancement.
She also sought capacity building in social media management and digital storytelling across Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, YouTube and LinkedIn.
Kaita said digital fact-checking and information verification were equally important as journalists increasingly encounter manipulated, misleading and AI-generated content.
She appealed to KATDICT to consider NAWOJ members for relevant digital skills programmes organised or supported by the Directorate.
While seeking technical support, Kaita said NAWOJ was prepared to deploy its media network to promote public awareness on digital literacy, responsible technology use, online safety and the fight against misinformation.
She said such collaboration would contribute to the broader digital transformation agenda of the Katsina State Government.
Both organisations expressed optimism that the collaboration would produce sustainable capacity-building opportunities.
The two sides will work through focal persons to develop a roadmap and identify priority programmes.
Faith Awa Maji
Secretary, NAWOJ Katsina State
3 September 2026
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