Saadu Salahu, a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), has called for an urgent review of Nigeria’s copyright laws to curb the growing misuse of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and enhance national security.
He made the appeal recently during the End-of-Year Get-Together of the Kwara State chapter of the NIPR held at the Reputation House, Herald Premises, GRA, Ilorin.
Presenting a paper titled “Professionalism and Synergy in Public Relations Practice,” Salahu warned that the unregulated use of AI and social media platforms has become a major driver of misinformation, disinformation, and insecurity.
While acknowledging the enormous benefits of AI in intelligence gathering, data analysis, and crisis management, he stressed that its abuse can exacerbate ethnic tensions, fuel political instability, and erode public trust.
Drawing on global examples from Denmark, Australia, and the European Union, he urged Nigerian lawmakers to adopt proactive legal frameworks that balance freedom of expression with public safety.
According to him, the rising misuse of digital tools underscores the need for Nigeria to strike an “ingenious balance between free speech, public good, and national security.”
Salahu also highlighted the need for government-led strategies to curb technology-driven crime and called for stronger regulation of digital platforms.
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He encouraged public relations practitioners and media professionals to promote media literacy, fact-checking, and responsible communication.
Commending both Federal and State Governments on their various security initiatives, he lauded Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, for investing in digital literacy and positioning the state as a key player in Nigeria’s emerging digital landscape.
He further urged practitioners to uphold professionalism, embrace continuous learning, and align with NIPR standards to support national development.
Delivering a message on behalf of the NIPR President, Ike Neliaku, the Dean, Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences, University of Ilorin, Saudat Salah-Abdulbaqi, described the Kwara chapter as one of the most vibrant in the country.
She announced that Nigeria will host Public Relations practitioners from across the globe and the African continent simultaneously in November next year, and urged members to take advantage of the opportunity to sharpen their professional skills.
In her goodwill message, Nkechi Ali-Balogun, the Chairman of the Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria (PRCAN), encouraged practitioners to uphold professionalism and strengthen synergy within the industry.
She emphasized ethical practice, transparency, and responsible communication in an era dominated by information overload.
Ali-Balogun, also a Fellow of the NIPR, underscored PRCAN’s central role in advancing industry standards and building a cohesive professional ecosystem.
Abdul-Lateef Lanre Ahmed, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kwara State Council, the State Chairperson of the Freelance Broadcasters Association of Nigeria (FIBAN); Chairman of the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority, Abdul-Lateef Alakawa; and Sunny Ododo – a Professor; all commended the chapter for the initiative.
They called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to combat fake news, misinformation, and disinformation, warning that unchecked information disorder could further endanger the nation.
Earlier, Gabriel Ogunade, the Chairman of the Kwara NIPR chapter, outlined the chapter’s achievements during the outgoing year and urged members to be more active in the coming year to accelerate the attainment of set goals.
