Polaris Bank Trains Over 650 Journalists on AI, Ethical Reporting at 12th Annual Media Capacity Seminar
Polaris Bank Limited has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting ethical journalism and enhancing professionalism in Nigeria’s media industry with the successful hosting of the 12th edition of its Annual Media Capacity Seminar, where experts challenged journalists to rebuild public trust and embrace artificial intelligence responsibly.
The virtual seminar, held via Microsoft Teams, attracted more than 650 journalists, editors, publishers, media executives and communication professionals from across the country.
Themed “Rebuilding Trust and Reinventing Storytelling in the Age of AI,” the event focused on equipping media practitioners with the knowledge and digital competencies required to thrive in a rapidly evolving information landscape.
The latest edition brings the total number of journalists empowered through the initiative to more than 6,200 over the past 12 consecutive years, highlighting Polaris Bank’s sustained investment in strengthening Nigeria’s media ecosystem through professional development, knowledge sharing and strategic engagement.
Addressing participants, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Polaris Bank, Kayode Lawal, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting journalism as a vital pillar of national development, democratic accountability and economic progress.
Lawal said trust remains the foundation of meaningful relationships between financial institutions, citizens and the media, stressing that the increasing influence of artificial intelligence has made the preservation of credibility and ethical journalism more important than ever.
According to him, the seminar demonstrates the bank’s determination to support journalists with the skills and knowledge needed to adapt to changing realities while sustaining public confidence in responsible reporting.
“At Polaris Bank, trust is the currency that underpins every meaningful relationship between banks and customers, institutions and citizens, and indeed between the media and the public. As artificial intelligence reshapes how information is created and consumed, preserving credibility and ethical journalism becomes even more critical. Through this seminar, we remain committed to supporting journalists with the knowledge and skills required to thrive in an evolving media landscape while sustaining public confidence in responsible journalism,” he said.
Represented by the Head of Brand Management and Corporate Communication, Rasheed Bolarinwa, the Managing Director noted that the bank’s continued investment in media capacity building reflects its broader commitment to promoting knowledge, innovation, institutional excellence and sustainable national development through strategic partnerships.
He explained that for more than a decade, the seminar has reflected Polaris Bank’s conviction that a strong, professional and well-equipped media is indispensable to national development, economic growth and public trust.
Lawal further observed that journalists are not merely reporters of events but custodians of facts, shapers of public discourse and indispensable partners in nation-building.
Speaking on the theme of the seminar, he noted that the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence presents both enormous opportunities and significant responsibilities for media practitioners.
He emphasised that while AI has the potential to transform news gathering, production and distribution, the industry must remain committed to preserving credibility, strengthening public confidence and upholding the highest ethical standards.
Lawal reiterated the bank’s commitment to investing in the continuous development of media professionals, saying empowering journalists with contemporary knowledge, practical insights and emerging digital skills ultimately strengthens the nation’s information ecosystem and benefits society.
He also commended the more than 650 journalists and media professionals who participated in the seminar, urging them to apply the knowledge gained in promoting accurate, ethical and impactful storytelling.
The seminar featured presentations by two respected industry experts. Professor Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndisika, Professor of Mass Communication at the University of Lagos, delivered a presentation titled, “The Trust Economy: Strengthening Credibility Across Media and Financial Institutions,” where she highlighted the growing importance of trust in sustaining media credibility and institutional reputation.
Also speaking, Olufemi Awoyemi, mni, Chairman of Proshare, presented a paper on “AI in Newsrooms: Opportunities for Smarter Storytelling and Faster Reporting,” offering participants practical insights into the opportunities artificial intelligence presents for improving newsroom operations and content creation while emphasising the need for responsible deployment of emerging technologies.
Throughout the interactive sessions, participants examined practical approaches to maintaining editorial integrity, combating misinformation, responsibly leveraging AI tools and reinforcing public confidence in journalism amid accelerating technological changes.
The discussions underscored the importance of trust as a strategic asset not only for media organisations but also for businesses, public institutions and society at large.
Over the past twelve years, Polaris Bank’s Annual Media Capacity Seminar has grown into one of Nigeria’s leading private-sector initiatives dedicated to advancing ethical journalism, encouraging innovation and fostering stronger collaboration between the financial services sector and the media.
The bank reaffirmed that as technology continues to reshape storytelling and information dissemination, it will remain committed to championing initiatives that promote trust, professionalism, innovation and responsible journalism while empowering media practitioners to contribute to building a more informed, resilient and accountable society.
