Women Radio 91.7FM has officially introduced NIMI, an Intelligent Virtual Assistant (IVA), during the AI Radio Summit Nigeria, held in Lagos on November 16, 2024. This marks a pioneering moment for Nigeria’s radio broadcasting landscape as NIMI is the first AI-powered virtual assistant in the country.
Toun Okewale Sonaiya, the CEO of Women Radio 91.7, delivered the keynote speech at the summit, emphasizing that AI is not merely a future prospect but an integral part of contemporary radio broadcasting. She expressed pride in her team’s ambition to redefine radio’s capabilities by introducing NIMI, a virtual companion designed to support and foster knowledge.
The summit featured a demonstration by Monsur Hussain, head of Innovation at the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), who showcased the Dubawa audio platform. This innovative platform monitors radio broadcasts by recording, transcribing, and identifying misleading claims, promoting accountability and upholding journalistic integrity across Nigeria’s media sector.
Gboyega Akosile, the Lagos State Governor’s special adviser on Media and Publicity, praised Women Radio for its groundbreaking work with NIMI. He encouraged media professionals to collaborate with the state government to further the development of technological initiatives within the broadcasting ecosystem.
Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji, the founder of Rise Network, encouraged the development of local AI solutions in Nigeria while insisting on the importance of ethical practices and regulations in rapidly adopting AI. She emphasized AI’s potential to democratize media and strengthen trust among audiences.
Adedeji Adekunle, Programs Director of the Nigeria Media Innovation Program, acknowledged the advancements represented by NIMI while stressing the need for strong human oversight in AI integration to build trust and mitigate risks associated with automation.
Stellamaris Okebu, Business Program Manager at Microsoft (Nigeria/Ghana), discussed the role of AI in enhancing operational efficiency. She highlighted AI’s strengths in audience analysis, trend tracking, and facilitating real-time interactions.
NIMI, Nigeria’s first virtual radio host, was tested live during the event. It responded to questions with a Nigerian accent and conveyed human-like emotions. Tayo Kalejaiye, the AI consulting engineer responsible for developing NIMI, commended Women Radio for overcoming the challenges faced during its creation, particularly in perfecting its pronunciation of local words.
In an interactive session, Oghenevwairhe Ofigo, General Manager of Women Radio, and her team provided insights into practical applications of AI tools utilized by the station to enhance programming and audience engagement.
During a panel titled “AI Enhancing Journalism & Broadcasting: Ethics and Professionalism,” Kayode Okikiolu of Channels TV raised concerns regarding the National Broadcasting Commission’s (NBC) position on AI, emphasizing the need for public discourse. He advocated for collaboration among radio stations to address shared challenges and balance investments in AI with staff welfare.
Nabilah Usman of RadioNow addressed the regulatory framework for AI in Nigeria, calling for stringent measures to prevent the misuse of AI technology and suggesting that violations should be treated as criminal offences to uphold accountability.
Motunrayo Alaka from the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism discussed the ethical implications of AI in journalism, reinforcing the unique value of credibility within the profession. She urged journalists to enhance their skills as AI continues to evolve and stressed the importance of fairness and transparency in using AI in journalism.
Sam Onigbanjo, Managing Director of AI Academy for Beginners, highlighted the rapid development of AI technologies, emphasizing the advantages of progressing from free to paid AI systems for creating sophisticated articles and advertisements.
With the launch of NIMI, Women Radio 91.7FM has set a new standard for innovation in Nigeria’s media landscape, showcasing the transformative potential of AI in broadcasting.
