The International Press Institute Nigeria is preparing to hold its 2026 annual conference and general meeting in Abuja, where media professionals will confront the rising challenges posed by artificial intelligence to news credibility. The gathering will take place on December 2 and 3 at the Bolton White Hotel in Wuse Zone 7.
According to Daily Trust, the event is themed "Truth Under Pressure: Journalism, AI and Information Integrity." A joint statement issued by the organisation's Deputy President, Fidelis Mbah, and Secretary, Ahmed Shekarau, revealed that attendees will explore ways newsrooms can deploy AI-driven verification systems to spot and push back against fake news.
The summit comes at a crucial moment as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections. Participants will review how synthetic content, including deepfakes, damages public confidence in news reporting. Beyond technology, the forum intends to build better cooperation between security forces and journalists, while tackling press freedom and reporter safety across the country.
Speaking before the event, IPI Nigeria President Musikilu Mojeed explained that the sessions will help reporters adopt open verification methods alongside digital tools to protect the accuracy of their work. Mojeed noted that the gathering also offers an opportunity to debate necessary legal and policy reforms to support independent reporting, alongside opening healthy discussions with the government on public accountability.
In addition to discussions on global best practices, the forum will officially welcome new members into the Nigerian chapter of the institute. The second day of the event, December 3, will host the closed-door Annual General Meeting, where members will review executive reports and decide on future strategies.
IPI was established in 1950 as an international alliance of editors, media owners, and senior reporters operating across more than 100 countries to safeguard independent journalism.
