The University of Ilorin’s Department of Mass Communication played host to a convergence of scholars, media practitioners, government officials, and students on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, for the 15th edition of the Doyin Mahmoud Annual Lecture. Established in 2010 to honour the founding Head of Department, the late Alhaji Doyin Mahmoud, the lecture series has evolved into one of Nigeria’s foremost intellectual gatherings focused on media and communication.
“Artificial Intelligence hasn’t just knocked on journalism’s door—it’s stepped in, taken a seat, and begun to rewrite the rules of news production, delivery, and consumption.” — Prof. Isiaka Aliagan
This year’s lecture, themed “Journalism in the Era of AI-Generated Content and Deep Fakes,” was delivered by respected journalist, academic, and former editor of The Herald, Professor Isiaka Zubair Aliagan. His presentation struck a delicate balance between tribute and challenge—honouring Mahmoud’s legacy while confronting the urgent realities posed by artificial intelligence in journalism.
Aliagan offered a sweeping, thoughtful analysis of how journalism has transitioned from manual typesetting to machine learning, data algorithms, and synthetic media. With anecdotes drawn from his personal interactions with Alhaji Mahmoud, he reminded the audience of the late pioneer’s deep commitment to ethical journalism and rigorous training—values still etched into the department’s foundation.
The lecture, held at the Communication and Information Sciences Lecture Theatre, drew a distinguished audience. Professor Lukman Adeshina Azeez, Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences, and Dr. Lawal Olohungbebe, Kwara State Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, were in attendance. Representing the Commissioner for Communications, Mrs. Bolanle Olukoju, was Dr. Fatimah Amuda, who also delivered a thought-provoking keynote.
Also present were Dr. Patrick Udende, Head of the Mass Communication Department, who gave the opening address, and Professor Saudat Sallah Abdulbaqi, Head of Unilorin Television. Dr. Mahmud Abdul Abdulraheem, founder of Gerin FM Radio, was represented by Professor Razak Owolabi Abdukadir from the Faculty of Law.
The event also welcomed other notable figures, including the Senior Special Assistant on Communication to the Kwara State Governor, Hon. Ibrahim Abdulateef, alongside respected academics such as Dr. Rasaq Muhammed Adisa, Dr. Abdulkadir Oba Laaro, Dr. Aisha Imam Omolosho, Dr. Fatimah Abubakre, and Dr. A.A. Saduaduden.
As the Doyin Mahmoud Lecture gains traction year after year, the 2025 edition reasserted the department’s unwavering commitment to critical thinking, media innovation, and ethical reporting—principles under increasing threat in an AI-dominated information space.
Professor Aliagan closed his lecture with a stirring message:
“The survival of truth in this digital age depends on the decisions we make today. We must choose integrity, act with courage, and unite to keep journalism as democracy’s faithful watchdog.”
In an era where misinformation spreads faster than facts, voices like Aliagan’s—and platforms like the Doyin Mahmoud Lecture—are crucial to keeping society anchored in reality.
