UNESCO Names CJID Among Key Players Shaping Nigeria’s AI Ecosystem

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has identified the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) among civil society organisations contributing to Nigeria’s artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem.

The recognition is contained in UNESCO’s 2026 Artificial Intelligence Readiness Assessment Report for Nigeria, which examines the country’s preparedness for the development, adoption and governance of AI.
In its mapping of civil society organisations involved in Nigeria’s AI landscape, UNESCO listed CJID under AI Literacy and Inclusion as well as Public Awareness and Advocacy.
According to a statement by CJID Executive Director, Akintunde Babatunde, the report listed CJID alongside CoDiCI under AI Literacy and Inclusion, noting their work in promoting access to and understanding of AI.

It said, “The recognition comes after several years of investment by CJID in artificial intelligence, journalism and digital governance across Nigeria and Africa.”

The report also identified CJID under Public Awareness and Advocacy for its activities aimed at increasing awareness of the social implications of AI and encouraging civic engagement through media and education.
CJID is a member of the Nigeria AI Collective, where it coordinates a Community of Practice comprising more than 600 members drawn from civil society, media, academia, research, technology, development, students and emerging professionals.

According to Babatunde, CJID has hosted three AI and Media Summits involving journalists, researchers, technology practitioners, policymakers and civil society organisations.
According to him, in February 2026, it led a delegation of 10 Nigerian civil society and media organisations to the AI Impact Summit in India.

He further explained that the organisation’s current work focuses increasingly on AI governance, platform accountability, information integrity, responsible technology adoption and the implications of emerging technologies for journalism and democratic societies.

In July, the organisation awarded AI advocacy grants to seven civil society groups — TechHer, Cedar Foundation for Disability, Akin Fadeyi Foundation, Nest Africa AI Innovation Lab, Webfala Digital Skill for All Initiative, African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL), and Dataphyte Foundation.
The grants support projects covering public understanding of AI, responsible technology adoption, digital inclusion, citizen engagement, information integrity, policy awareness and accountability in the development and deployment of AI systems.
CJID has also conducted AI training for journalists, civil society actors, educators, university lecturers, teachers and students.

Through its AI Campus Network, the statement said, the organisation has supported young people in developing practical AI skills and, in 2025, provided computers to students at the University of Lagos to facilitate their study and experimentation with AI.

The organisation has also developed five AI-enabled tools for fact-checking, electoral transparency and combating disinformation.
Its fact-checkers and fellows have debunked AI-generated and manipulated content, while its annual AI Reporting Fellowship supports journalists covering artificial intelligence and its impact on different sectors.