From Bashir Rabe Mani, Sokoto
Former Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Prof. Tijjani Mohammed Bande, has called for the regulation of Artificial Intelligence, better known as Robotics.
“The whole notion of how you see the world is shaped by Technology. Technology is key to national development, Prof. Bande, also the former President, United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), said.
Our Correspondent in Sokoto reports that the don, who is also the incumbent District Head of Besse, Koko/Besse Local Government Area of Kebbi State, disclosed on Monday in Sokoto at the opening of a five-day Maiden Mass Communications International Conference 2026, organized by the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.
Organized by the Department of Mass Communications of the University, the conference has as theme, ‘Media and National Development in the Era of Artificial Intelligence’.
According to the former Envoy, such a regulation is important not only nationally but internationally, adding that, the regulation is required to avoid the negative rve uses of AI, apart from the positives.
Prof. Bande further expressed delight that the conference was addressing such a problem, saying, “ the media can be manipulated to say things falsely.
He, however, said that ethics,truth and wisdom are very crucial to the media, applauding the university for convening the conference as well as getting international resource persons.
Also speaking, the Vice-Chancellor of the Institution, Prof. Bashir Garba, maintained that AI is no longer a subject confined to Science fiction novels or imagination of the scientists.
He said, “it is here, in our newsrooms, on our smartphones,in algorithms that decide what news we see and, increasingly, in what we believe.
“AI is reshaping media, our ethics,and could permeate virtually every aspect of human endeavours.”
Also speaking, the former Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Riskuwa Arabu Shehu, said, “ communication is crucial to everything we do.
“Wrong communication can destroy while the right communication can build stronger relationships.
“While commending this initiative by the university, I must call for its sustenance to make it a yearly event.”
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, represented by the District Head of Gwadabawa, Alhaji Lawal Zayyana, admonished media proacitiners to always have their fear of the Almighty God in their reportage.
“They should also be ethical and positive in everything they do. The conference is a welcome initiative by the University m.”
The Keynote Speaker, Prof. Kehbuma Langmia, Chair in the Department of Communication Studies, School of Communication, Howard University, USA, underscored the importance of AI in the current media industry.
According to the don, information must be used to “kill ignorance”, noting, “ we are now suffering from the algorithm of dependence.
“We must therefore urgently move to the algorithm of inclusivity. AI is a third partner and not a third leader.”
Prof. Langmia while all must embrace AI, students of Mass Communications must take studies in Computer Science.
He further advocated the development of AI Apps “on Africa and for Africa. We need to regulate data centres in Nigeria, Africa and the world.”
