Church of Nigeria urges Christians to embrace AI, promote digital literacy

… Appoints new Rector for Crowther Graduate Theological Seminary

The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has urged handlers of the media and communication professionals within the church to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI), promote digital literacy.

The Church in a communiqué issued at the end of the 2025 Communicators, Media and Data Management Officers’ conference stated that theological teachings must include media and communication basics, and AI in theological institutions, and that members should be trained on its use while remaining alert to ethical risks.

Themed, ‘Proclaiming Christ through the Media in times like this,’ the conference was held at the Ilesa Anglican Heritage City, Ilesa, Osun State.

The Church also tasks communicators with defending the leadership of the Church from public misrepresentation and guarding against errors in media content. It also warns media teams to resist financial inducements that may compromise the Church’s mission or propagate heresy.

In a communiqué jointly singed by Matthew Adesanmi Adeyeba, chairman, communiqué committee; Korede Akintunde, director of communications, Church of Nigeria, and Williams O. Aladekugbe, Archbishop of Ibadan Province (Primate’s Representative), stated that communicators and media officers have a divine and strategic mandate to proclaim Christ and disciple the nations through effective and faithful media engagement.
According to the Church, the call is a reminder to the media team to be intentional and purposeful in the content they create and share on the various media platforms. Similarly, it urged media teams across the Church to always keep the message of Christ at the forefront of their efforts, not personal promotion or debates that do not edify or glorify God.

“The platforms are already available; let us make the most of them to advance the unchanging Gospel in our ever-changing world.
“Enough of Pastors and Diocesan media personnel being influencers of trendy topics rather than being influencers of Christ’s truth – His birth, His works, His death, His victory, and His second coming.”

In another development, Henry C. Ndukuba, Primate, Church of Nigeria, has approved the appointment of Rotimi Omotoye as the new Rector of Crowther Graduate Theological Seminary, Igbein, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

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”As Rector, you will work closely with the Seminary Board and our office to ensure the smooth operation of academic and administrative activities, in line with the Seminary’s established guidelines.

“This appointment takes effect from Monday September 1, 2025 after the expiration of the tenure of the current rector of the seminary,” the letter reads.

Rotimi Williams Omotoye is a Professor of Christian Studies at the University of Ilorin, Nigeria, specialising in Church History, African Christianity, Pentecostal Churches, Ecumenical Movements, and Inter-religious relations.

He is also the representative of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the University of Ilorin and the University of Georgia, Athens, and the faculty representative on the University of Ilorin’s Ethical Research Committee. Additionally, he is the director of the General Studies Division at the University of Ilorin.

Omotoye, who is also a Venerable in the church is presently the secretary of the Church of Nigeria’s Archive, Artifacts, and Monuments Committee, chairman Church of Nigeria Ecumenism for South-west and education secretary representing Kwara Diocese at the Church of Nigeria and also the Chronicler of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion among others.