Broadcasting
Beyond Human: Navigating the Future of Product Management in the Age of AI
By Akintunde Opawole,
The role of a product manager has always been challenging and exciting. A product manager is responsible for managing the entire product lifecycle, from conception to launch, and ensuring that the product satisfies customer and business needs. With the advent of artificial intelligence (AI), however, the role of a product manager is undergoing a substantial transformation. With the advent of AI, we will examine the future of product management careers in this op-ed.
AI in Product Management
Multiple facets of product management already incorporate AI. AI can be used, for instance, to analyze customer data and generate insights, predict customer behaviour, and automate customer support and sales tasks. AI can also be used to enhance the precision of product forecasts and optimize pricing.
AI’s ability to enable product managers to make data-driven decisions is one of the most significant ways it is transforming product management. Product managers must be able to analyze and interpret data effectively to make informed decisions as the availability of data grows. AI can assist product managers in achieving this objective by automating data analysis and generating insights that can inform product development and marketing strategies.
Additionally, AI can be used to automate customer support and sales, allowing product managers to focus on more strategic tasks. For instance, chatbots can be used to handle routine customer support inquiries, allowing product managers to concentrate on the development of new products and features.
The Future of Careers in Product Management
The increasing use of artificial intelligence in product management is likely to have a substantial impact on product management careers. Although AI will not replace product managers, it will alter the required skills and abilities for success in this field.
Data literacy will be one of the most important skills for product managers in the AI era. Product managers will need to effectively interpret and analyze data in order to make informed decisions. This requires data analysis, data visualization, and statistical analysis expertise.
In the era of artificial intelligence, product managers will also need the ability to interact with AI systems. Product managers will need to comprehend how artificial intelligence functions, what it can and cannot do, and how to effectively integrate it into product development and marketing strategies. This requires proficiency with machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision.
Product managers in the AI era will also need to be able to consider how AI can be used to enhance product development and marketing strategically. This will necessitate an in-depth understanding of the business and market, as well as the ability to identify innovation and growth opportunities.
Lastly, product managers in the era of AI will need to be able to collaborate effectively with members of different functional areas. AI will likely necessitate the collaboration of product managers, data scientists, engineers, and designers, among others. Product managers must be able to effectively communicate with these stakeholders and collaborate to achieve business objectives.
The Opportunities and Challenges:
The increasing use of artificial intelligence in product management presents both significant challenges and opportunities. The ability to make better-informed decisions is among the most significant opportunities. With the growing availability of data and the sophistication of AI systems, product managers can generate previously unavailable insights using AI. This can assist product managers in identifying new growth and innovation opportunities and optimizing product development and marketing strategies.
The ability to automate routine tasks represents a second significant opportunity. As AI systems advance in sophistication, they will be able to handle an increasing number of routine tasks, allowing product managers to devote more time to strategic tasks. This can assist product managers in becoming more productive and efficient, thereby enhancing business performance.
However, the expanding use of AI in product management also presents significant obstacles. The possibility of bias in AI systems is one of the most significant challenges. AI systems are only as good as the data on which they are trained, so if the data is biased, so will the AI system. This can result in unintended outcomes such as perpetuating existing inequalities or discriminating against certain groups of people. Product managers must be aware of these risks and take measures to mitigate them, such as ensuring that data used to train AI systems is diverse and representative.
AI’s potential to disrupt traditional business models represents a further significant obstacle. AI has the potential to automate many previously human-performed tasks, resulting in job displacement and substantial changes to the workforce. Product managers will need to be
aware of these risks and collaborate with other stakeholders to ensure a smooth and equitable transition to an AI-driven economy.
In conclusion, the increasing use of AI in product management is likely to have a substantial effect on careers in product management. Although AI will not replace product managers, it will alter the required skills and abilities for success in this field. To succeed in the AI era, product managers will require new skills in data literacy, AI systems, strategic thinking, and cross-functional collaboration.
While the growing use of artificial intelligence presents significant challenges, it also presents significant opportunities to make more informed decisions and automate routine tasks. Product managers who are able to navigate these obstacles and seize these opportunities will be well-positioned for success in the rapidly changing world of product management.
Akintunde Opawole is an exceptional business thought leader that has built an impressive career with over 10 years in the ICT industry and significant aspects of entrepreneurship. As a certified Product Manager and an experienced Product Owner, he is noted for leading, managing and collaborating with high-performing teams of developers, scrum masters and business analysts to deliver high cutting-edge technologies/products. In 2022, He shipped the biggest Data Analytics product in West Africa. He is currently building an Omnichannel – AI solution for the retail sector in Europe.
Federal government, yesterday, said that it will now launch the so-called FreeTV, with over 100 channels for news, sports, education, entertainment and children’s programming in multiple Nigerian languages on June 17.
National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) had initially scheduled for May 15 for the launch.
But the new date was announced by Mohammed Idris, minister of Information and National Orientation, on Wednesday during a facility tour of NIGCOMSAT, alongside Dr Charles Ebuebu, director general of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and other stakeholders.
Idris said the long-awaited migration from analogue to digital broadcasting had finally become a reality after years of failed attempts and delays, describing the project as a major breakthrough for Nigeria’s broadcasting industry.
“I have been grappling with this idea of the DSO for many years. Moving our transmissions from analogue to digital has now happened and is ready to be commissioned by June 17,” the minister said.
He revealed that several channels had already been bundled onto the platform, adding that the digital transition would transform broadcasting, advertising and television consumption across Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa.
According to him, the new platform introduces scientific audience measurement tools capable of tracking viewership patterns in real time, thereby giving advertisers reliable data for targeted campaigns.
“Now science is at play. If you are viewing a station, we know who is watching what and how many people are watching. Advertisers can now take informed decisions about the kind of programming Nigerians want to watch across all demographics,” Idris stated.
The minister said the collaboration between NIGCOMSAT, NBC, the Ministry of Communications and the Ministry of Information had made the digital transition possible, while commending President Bola Tinubu for providing the necessary support and resources.
He described previous DSO efforts as limited and expensive due to encrypted set-top boxes but noted that the new system would be free and accessible to millions of Nigerians.
“In the past, the boxes were encrypted and costly. Now this is free. Government has taken off some of those costs on behalf of Nigerians,” he said.
Idris stressed that unlike earlier pilot phases restricted to a few cities, the new digital platform would have nationwide and regional reach through NIGCOMSAT’s satellite infrastructure.
“Everybody can now watch whatever he wants in real time and painlessly. Free TV everywhere for everybody”, he declared.
The minister also hinted that the platform would challenge the dominance of existing pay-TV operators by offering Nigerians wider viewing options at no cost.
“I don’t want to always use the word ‘substitute’, but this offers opportunities you didn’t get before. You no longer have that monopoly again. Competition is going to set in. Content will grow and viewership will grow,” he said.
He added that the platform would initially launch in standard definition, SD, before quickly transitioning to high definition, HD, bringing Nigerian broadcasting in line with global standards.
“Soon after the launch, we are moving to HD. Nigeria will now compete globally. What you watch here is what you get anywhere,” Idris said.
The minister further disclosed that the service was already available via mobile application and had successfully undergone testing ahead of the official unveiling.
Also speaking during the tour, managing director and chief executive officer of NIGCOMSAT, described the collaboration between NIGCOMSAT and NBC as a strategic partnership that has strengthened service delivery and raised operational standards within Nigeria’s digital broadcasting ecosystem.
According to her, ongoing investments and satellite expansion plans under the current administration will guarantee reliable and continuous service delivery.
“The work has only just started. The work has only just begun,” she said.
Among those who accompanied the Honourable Minister on the tour were Salihu Abdullahi Dembos, director-general, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA); Jibrin Baba Ndace, director-general, Voice of Nigeria (VON); Mohammed Bulama, director-general, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN); and Lanre Issa-Onilu, director-general, National Orientation Agency (NOA), alongside other senior government officials and dignitaries.
Metro Digital Limited, a licenced Indigenous broadcasting organisation, has accused Multichoice, pay television company, of refusing to obey judgements emanating from Courts in Nigeria.
It said the latest of such judgements is the one that was delivered by Justice Chinelo Odili of Rivers State High Court on May 4, 2026 in Suit No. PHC/3943/FHR/2025.
Dr. Paul Osuji, operations manager of Metro Digital, at a press conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State,
said the suit was filed by the organisation and two others against Multichoice and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Osuji stated that Justice Odili has in the judgement described the arrest of a staff member of the company and the carting away of it’s properties and disruption of it’s broadcasting business by the EFCC over a civil dispute of copyrighy as unlawful and violations of the applicants’ rights.
The manager recalled that in October 2025, Multichoice instigated the EFCC to read their office in Port Harcourt, arrested a staff of the company and staff of another company, while the suit was still pending.
“On October 16, 2025, the premises of Metro Digital Limited, a licenced indigenous broadcasting organisation was raided by the Nigerian anti-graft agency, EFCC, instigated by Multichoice Nigeria, purportedly acting on a preservation order made by the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt over the sub licensing of broadcasting content right.
“The preservation order came from a civil dispute already adjudicated by the Court of Appeal No. CA/CS/188/2021 – Multichoice Vs Metro Digital Limited and 20 others, which is a subject of a pending appeal -No. SC/CV/1248/2022 -Multichoice and 20 others before the Supreme Court.
“Instructively, while suit No. PHC/ 3943/ FHR/2025 was still pending, Metro Digital Limited filed an application to set aside the said preservation orders of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt and presided over by Hon. Justice A.T Mohammed.
“In his ruling delivered on December 10, 2025, set aside the preservation orders and it’s legal execution on Metro Digital Limited. The court also ordered EFCC to return unconditionally all the properties and records of Metro Digital Limited, illegally and unlawfully carted away during the raid but the agency has till today not obeyed those orders of the Court,” he said.
Metro Digital Limited is known for operating SLTV, a direct-to-home satellite television service launched to provide affordable, locally-owned alternatives to international pay TV
A Federal High Court in Lagos has restrained the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) from sanctioning or punishing broadcast stations and presenters over the expression of personal opinions, alleged bullying of guests, or failure to maintain neutrality on air.
NBC
Justice Daniel Osiagor granted the interim injunction following an ex parte application filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE).
The court specifically restrained the NBC, its officers, agents and affiliated persons from enforcing its recently issued “Formal Notice” or imposing sanctions, fines or penalties on broadcasters based on provisions of the 6th Edition of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
SERAP and NGE had approached the court to challenge what they described as an arbitrary and unlawful move by the commission to punish broadcasters for allegedly expressing personal opinions as facts, bullying or intimidating guests, or failing to maintain neutrality during programmes.
The groups also asked the court to determine whether the provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code relied upon by NBC were inconsistent with the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and Nigeria’s international human rights obligations.
The suit followed an April statement by the NBC in which it raised concerns over what it described as increasing violations of the broadcasting code across news, current affairs and political programmes.
The commission had warned that presenters who expressed personal opinions as facts or bullied guests during live broadcasts would be sanctioned.
However, Justice Osiagor, in his ruling, held that pending the hearing of the substantive matter, the commission must refrain from using the formal notice to threaten, sanction or punish broadcast organisations and on-air personalities under the contested code provisions.
The matter was adjourned until June 1, 2026, for hearing of the motion on notice.
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