NIJ Provost, Caleb VC Advocate Digital Reinvention for Local Newspapers

Ayodeji Ake

Leading media professionals have warned that community newspapers in Nigeria must urgently embrace digital innovation, diversify their revenue streams and strengthen community engagement or risk becoming obsolete in an increasingly technology-driven media landscape.

The call was made at the Journalism Outlook Conference 2026, held at Caleb University, Lagos, under the theme “Reinventing Local Newspapers in the Digital Age: Innovation, Sustainability and Global Community Impact.” The conference brought together newspaper proprietors, editors, academics, media entrepreneurs and communication scholars to chart a new course for local journalism.

Delivering the keynote address, Provost of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, challenged local newspaper publishers to rethink their business models, warning that innovation has become a matter of survival rather than choice.

According to him, newspapers that fail to reinvent themselves for the digital era face an uncertain future.

“The newspaper industry is changing rapidly. Innovation is no longer optional; it is the pathway to survival. Community newspapers must embrace technology, develop sustainable business models and deepen their relevance within the communities they serve if they are to remain competitive,” Adefaye said.

He stressed that the strength of community journalism lies in its ability to report issues often overlooked by mainstream national media, urging publishers to leverage that advantage while embracing digital platforms.

Vice-Chancellor of Caleb University, Prof. Olalekan Asikhia, dismissed the notion that the digital revolution has killed newspapers, arguing instead that it has rendered outdated business models ineffective.

“People have not stopped consuming news; they have simply changed how they consume it. The product has never been paper but credible information. What newspapers must reinvent is the way they deliver that information, engage audiences and generate sustainable revenue,” he said.

Asikhia maintained that local newspapers remain indispensable because they provide accountability at the grassroots by reporting on local government, education, healthcare, security and community development issues that larger media organisations often overlook.

He urged publishers to adopt a digital-first strategy by integrating websites, podcasts, mobile applications, multimedia storytelling and social media into their operations without compromising editorial standards.

Also speaking, Weekend Editor of The Guardian and Vice-President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (South-West), Dr. Kabir Garba, said technology should be viewed as an opportunity rather than a threat.

He encouraged local newspapers to deploy artificial intelligence, data analytics and multimedia storytelling to better understand audience preferences and expand their reach among younger readers.

“Technology has changed how audiences consume news. Community newspapers must move beyond print and embrace digital platforms while preserving the credibility and ethical standards that distinguish professional journalism,” Garba said.

He also advocated new revenue models, including digital subscriptions, membership programmes, sponsored content, strategic partnerships and events to reduce dependence on traditional advertising income.

Publisher of Oriwu Sun, Monzor Olowosago, urged aspiring journalists not to abandon community journalism despite the industry’s challenges.

He encouraged young publishers to begin modestly with community-focused publications and grow through consistency, integrity and quality reporting.

“Every successful newspaper started somewhere. Focus on serving your community, remain truthful, stay consistent and your audience will grow with you,” he advised.

Participants agreed that while the challenges confronting print journalism are significant, they also present opportunities for innovation, collaboration and growth.

They concluded that the future of Nigerian community newspapers will depend on their ability to combine trusted journalism with digital transformation, sustainable business models and stronger engagement with the communities they serve.

The conference ended with a renewed commitment by media stakeholders to equip local newspapers with the skills, technology and partnerships needed to remain relevant in the digital age while preserving their vital role in strengthening democracy, promoting accountability and driving grassroots development.