NGE 2026 Conference: Onaiyekan, Mbah, Afam Osigwe, Kperogi, Others Head to Enugu

The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) is set to hold its 2026 All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC) in Enugu, with more than 500 editors and other stakeholders expected to attend the two-day event.

The conference will take place at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Enugu, on September 24 and 25.

This year’s edition will centre on the media’s responsibility in protecting democracy and strengthening public confidence ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.

The conference theme is “The Ballot, the Media and the Task of Keeping Democracy Alive,” while its sub-theme is “When Lies Look Real: Detecting and Debunking AI Disinformation Before, During and After Election.”

The Obi of Onitsha, His Royal Majesty Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, is expected to chair the gathering.

According to a statement signed by NGE President Eze Anaba and General Secretary Onuoha Ukeh, the event will bring media leaders and other stakeholders together to discuss threats facing democracy, credible elections, public accountability and the media’s role in sustaining democratic values.

Cardinal Onaiyekan to Open Conference

Cardinal John Onaiyekan, former Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, will deliver the keynote address during the opening ceremony on September 24 at 2pm.

Prof. Auwal Yadudu of Bayero University’s Faculty of Law will examine “Public Trust, Electoral Justice and Democratic Stability,” while Enugu State Governor Dr Peter Mbah will also address participants.

Kayode Komolafe, Ombudsman and Public Protector of ThisDay Newspapers, and veteran journalist Owei Lakemfa will jointly present “Reporting Terrorism Without Becoming a Tool for Terrorists.”

The programme will continue on September 25 with a presentation by former Nigerian Bar Association President, Mazi Afam Osigwe.

His paper, scheduled for 9am, is titled “Election Petitions in the Digital Age: Independence, Evidence, BVAS and the Courts.”

Prof. Chinyere Okunna, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Paul University, Awka, will speak on “Neutrality, Professionalism and Election Security in Democratic Governance.”

AI Disinformation, Journalists’ Welfare on Agenda

The conference will also address the growing challenge of artificial intelligence-generated disinformation.

Prof. Farooq A. Kperogi of Kennesaw State University, Georgia, United States, will focus on ways of detecting and debunking AI-generated disinformation before, during and after elections.

Meanwhile, Dr Richard Okoye, Founder and Chief Medical Director of Save A Life Hospital, Port Harcourt, will speak on journalists’ welfare in a presentation titled “The Human Side of Journalism: Managing Stress, Deadlines and Personal Wellbeing.”

An Executive Session scheduled for 12:30pm on the second day will bring editors together with governors, political party leaders and heads of government parastatals to discuss issues of national importance.

The NGE said the conference would provide an avenue for editors and other stakeholders to develop strategies for advancing democratic governance, national development and nation-building through responsible and responsive journalism.

The Guild also said participants would examine emerging threats to democracy and explore ways of ensuring that the media remains central to credible elections, public accountability and democratic stability.

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