Onaiyekan,  Mbah, others for NGE 2026 conference in Enugu

The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has announced that its 2026 All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC) will hold at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Enugu, on September 24 and 25, 2026.

The annual conference is the flagship gathering of the Guild.

It will bring together more than 500 editors from across the country and other distinguished guests to deliberate on critical national and global issues with far-reaching social, economic and political implications.

A statement by the President and General Secretary of the Guild, Eze Anaba and Onuoha Ukeh, respectively, said the conference is particularly significant as it comes ahead of the 2027 general election.

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

His Royal Majesty, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha, will be Chairman of the conference. 

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

Also on the first day, Prof. Auwal Yadudu of the Faculty of Law, Bayero University, Kano, will speak on “Public Trust, Electoral Justice and Democratic Stability.” Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, will also address the conference.

Ombudsman and Public Protector, This Day Newspapers, Kayode Komolafe and veteran journalist and civil rights campaigner, Owei Lakemfa, will round off the day’s sessions with a joint presentation on “Reporting Terrorism Without Becoming a Tool for Terrorists.”

On the second day, September 25, immediate past President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe, will speak on “Election Petitions in the Digital Age: Independence, Evidence, BVAS and the Courts.” His presentation is scheduled for 9am. 

Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Paul University, Awka, Prof. Chinyere Okunna, will address the conference on “Neutrality, Professionalism and Election Security in Democratic Governance,” while Founder and Chief Medical Director of Save A Life Hospital, Port Harcourt, Dr. Richard Okoye, will speak on “The Human Side of Journalism: Managing Stress, Deadlines and Personal Wellbeing.”

Professor of Journalism and Emerging Media, Kennesaw State University, Georgia, USA, Pro Farooq A. Kperogi, will examine the conference sub-theme, “When Lies Look Real: Detecting and Debunking AI Disinformation Before, During and After Election.”

The second day will also feature an Executive Session at 12:30pm, during which editors will engage governors, political party leaders and heads of government parastatals on issues of national importance.

According to the Guild, the conference will provide a platform for editors and other stakeholders to examine pathways for advancing democratic governance, promote national development and strengthen nation-building through responsible and responsive journalism.

The NGE said the gathering would also provide an opportunity for media leaders to interrogate the challenges confronting democracy and the role of the media in safeguarding credible elections, public trust and democratic values.