L-R: Rasheed Bolarinwa, Group Head, Brand Management & Corporate Communications, Polaris Bank Limited; Professor Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndisika of Mass Communication Dept, University of Lagos; Olufemi Awoyemi, mni, Chairman, Pros-hare; and Sheriff Adekoya, Lead Strategist, Edgeforth Business Solutions, at the 12th Polaris Bank Annual Media Capacity Seminar in Lagos over the weekend.
Polaris Bank has Reaffirmed its commitment to advance ethical journalism and media development by hosting the 12th edition of its Annual Media Capacity Seminar, a programme that has now empowered more than 6,200 journalists across Nigeria over the past 12 years.
The 2026 edition of the seminar, themed "Rebuilding Trust and Reinventing Storytelling in the Age of AI," was held virtually via Microsoft Teams and attracted over 650 journalists, editors, publishers, media executives and communications professionals from across the country.
The annual initiative is aimed at strengthening media professionalism through knowledge sharing, capacity building and strategic engagement, reflecting the bank's sustained investment in Nigeria's media ecosystem.
Participants at this year's seminar received expert insights from Professor Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndisika, Professor of Mass Communication at the University of Lagos, who spoke on "The Trust Economy: Strengthening Credibility Across Media and Financial Institutions." Also speaking was Olufemi Awoyemi, mni, Chairman of Proshare, whose presentation focused on "AI in Newsrooms: Opportunities for Smarter Storytelling and Faster Reporting."
Speaking at the event, Polaris Bank's Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Kayode Lawal, said the institution remains committed to supporting journalism as a vital pillar of national development.
According to him, trust remains the foundation of meaningful relationships between financial institutions, customers, the media and the public, making ethical journalism even more important as artificial intelligence reshapes the way information is created and consumed.
Represented by the bank's Head of Brand Management and Corporate Communication, Rasheed Bolarinwa, Lawal said Polaris Bank would continue equipping journalists with the knowledge and skills required to thrive in an evolving media environment while sustaining public confidence in responsible journalism.
He noted that the bank's long-standing investment in media capacity development aligns with its broader commitment to promoting knowledge, innovation, institutional excellence and sustainable national development.
"For over a decade, this platform has reflected our unwavering belief that a strong, professional and well-equipped media is indispensable to national development, economic growth, democratic accountability and public trust," he said, describing journalists as custodians of facts and critical partners in nation-building.
Lawal added that while artificial intelligence offers significant opportunities for the media industry, it also places greater responsibility on journalists to preserve credibility, combat misinformation and uphold ethical standards.
He reaffirmed Polaris Bank's commitment to continuous investment in media development, saying that empowering journalists with contemporary knowledge, practical insights and emerging digital skills ultimately strengthens the country's information ecosystem.
The bank also commended the more than 650 participants for their commitment to responsible journalism and urged them to apply the knowledge gained to produce accurate, ethical and impactful reports.
Interacting with the participants, they explored strategies for maintaining editorial integrity, tackling misinformation, responsibly deploying artificial intelligence and strengthening public confidence in journalism amid rapid technological change.
For twelve consecutive years, Polaris Bank has invested in strengthening Nigeria’s media landscape by providing journalists with access to renowned experts, contemporary knowledge, and practical skills required to navigate an evolving communications environment.
The Annual Media Capacity Seminar has become one of Nigeria’s leading private-sector initiatives dedicated to advancing ethical journalism, encouraging innovation, and fostering stronger collaboration between the financial services industry and the media.
The bank said it would continue to champion initiatives that promote professionalism, trust, innovation and responsible journalism while supporting media practitioners in building a more informed and resilient society.
Polaris Bank remains steadfast in its commitment to championing initiatives that promote trust, professionalism, innovation, and responsible journalism while empowering media practitioners to help build a more informed and resilient society.
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