Polaris Bank Limited has reinforced its commitment to ethical journalism and media professionalism with the successful hosting of the 12th edition of its Annual Media Capacity Seminar, themed “Rebuilding Trust and Reinventing Storytelling in the Age of AI.”
The virtual event, held via Microsoft Teams, attracted more than 650 journalists, editors, publishers, media executives and communication professionals from across Nigeria to discuss the future of journalism in an era increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence.
With the latest edition, the bank has now empowered over 6,200 journalists through the seminar over the past 12 years, highlighting its long-standing investment in strengthening Nigeria’s media landscape through knowledge sharing, professional development and strategic engagement.
The seminar featured two respected industry experts. Professor Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndisika of the University of Lagos delivered a presentation titled “The Trust Economy: Strengthening Credibility Across Media and Financial Institutions,” while Proshare Chairman, Olufemi Awoyemi, mni, spoke on “AI in Newsrooms: Opportunities for Smarter Storytelling and Faster Reporting.” Their presentations highlighted the growing influence of artificial intelligence in journalism while stressing the need to preserve credibility and public trust.
Speaking on the importance of the initiative, Polaris Bank Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Kayode Lawal, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting journalism as a key driver of national development.
Represented by Rasheed Bolarinwa, Head of Brand Management and Corporate Communication, Lawal said trust remains the foundation of meaningful relationships between financial institutions, the media and the public.
He noted that as artificial intelligence transforms the way information is created, distributed and consumed, maintaining ethical standards and credibility has become more important than ever. According to him, the annual seminar equips journalists with the knowledge and digital skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving media environment while sustaining public confidence in responsible journalism.
Lawal added that Polaris Bank’s continuous investment in media capacity development reflects its broader commitment to promoting innovation, institutional excellence and sustainable national development through strategic partnerships.
He described journalists as custodians of facts, shapers of public discourse and vital partners in nation-building, stressing that a professional and well-equipped media remains indispensable to democratic accountability, economic growth and public trust.
Participants also examined practical approaches to preserving editorial integrity, combating misinformation, responsibly deploying artificial intelligence in newsrooms and strengthening public confidence in journalism amid rapid technological change.
For twelve consecutive years, Polaris Bank has sustained one of Nigeria’s leading private-sector initiatives dedicated to advancing ethical journalism, encouraging innovation and fostering stronger collaboration between the financial services sector and the media.
The bank reaffirmed its commitment to championing initiatives that promote trust, professionalism, innovation and responsible journalism while empowering media practitioners to contribute to a more informed and resilient society.
