LAGOS/Nigeria: The Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) has announced plans for its 2025 Annual Training Summit, scheduled for Friday, October 10, at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Conference Hall, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.
The one-day event, themed “AI Automotive Reporting: Smart Cars, Smart Stories,” is designed to equip auto journalists with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the fast-changing landscape of automotive technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Supported by Jetour Automobiles and Tech365, the summit marks a strategic partnership that underlines NAJA’s commitment to future-proofing automotive journalism in Nigeria.
Chairman of the Planning Committee, Mr. Rasheed Bisiriyu, said this year’s edition would spotlight the intersection of journalism, smart mobility, and AI. “Participants will benefit from sessions led by seasoned facilitators drawn from both the tech and auto sectors,” he explained.
Among the lead speakers are Mr. Wale Olajumoke, Head of Training at Tech365, who will share expertise on AI applications in emerging industries, and Mr. Henry Ojelu, an experienced journalist with Vanguard Newspapers, who will provide practical insights into the use of AI tools in modern reporting, particularly on the automotive beat.
Bisiriyu added that the summit would expose journalists to AI-powered automotive technologies and their implications for media practice. “We are preparing journalists to report effectively on smart mobility, autonomous driving, and connected vehicles. It’s about improving the depth, accuracy, and creativity in auto reporting,” he said.
Industry stakeholders, including automakers, distributors, tech solution providers, and mobility startups, are expected to attend, offering hands-on perspectives on the future of transportation in Nigeria and globally.
Chairman of NAJA, Mr. Theodore Opara, described the summit as both timely and strategic, stressing that artificial intelligence was no longer futuristic but an urgent necessity in newsrooms and the auto industry. “The way vehicles are being designed, marketed, and operated is evolving rapidly. Journalists need to evolve too. This training will empower auto journalists to understand and report on these changes more effectively,” he said.
Opara also emphasized the role of AI in digital journalism, noting its importance for fact-checking, data analysis, and multimedia storytelling. “The ability to interpret autonomous vehicle data, review smart car reports, and explore mobility platforms will give our journalists a global edge,” he added.
NAJA reiterated that the training summit remains one of its flagship professional development programmes, designed to build capacity, foster collaboration, and support the growth of Nigeria’s automotive sector. The 2025 edition, it said, promises not just to inform but to transform the role of auto journalists in the digital era, equipping them to tell smarter stories about smarter cars.
