The Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) has announced that preparations have been concluded for its 10th Annual Conference, scheduled to hold on Thursday, October 8, 2026, in Lagos.
The landmark conference, themed “2027 Elections: Trust, Transparency and Shared Responsibilities,” will commence at 10 a.m. at the Radisson Blu Hotel, 38–40 Isaac John Street, Ikeja GRA, Lagos.
In a statement signed by GOCOP Publicity Secretary, Ms Kemi Yesufu, the guild reaffirmed its commitment to promoting responsible journalism and constructive engagement on issues critical to Nigeria’s democratic and national development.
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, is expected to deliver the keynote address, while the Founding Partner of Olisa Agbakoba Legal (OAL) and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Dr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, will chair the proceedings.
Confirmed panellists include CP Abayomi Shogunle, Commissioner of Police, Election Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Force Headquarters, Abuja; Prof. Tayo Popoola, Head of the Department of Mass Communication, University of Lagos; Adaora Onyechere Sydney-Jack, Creative Director of Gender Agenda and Founder of WEWE Network Afrique; and Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director of the International Press Centre.
According to the Deputy President of GOCOP and Chairman of the 2026 Conference Planning Committee, Olumide Iyanda, the conference will provide a platform for media executives, policymakers, academics, civil society leaders and other stakeholders to examine the responsibilities of electoral institutions, political parties and actors, security agencies, the media and citizens in strengthening public confidence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
GOCOP said the conference had attracted the support of prominent public and private sector organisations, including the Lagos State Government, Imo State Government, Ekiti State Government, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), Nigeria Customs Service, Dangote Group, Seplat, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Bank of Industry (BoI), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Other private-sector supporters include TAJBank, Emadeb Energy, Setraco Limited, Sovereign Trust Insurance and Nestlé Nigeria Plc.
Iyanda expressed appreciation to the conference partners for their support, noting that their commitment underscores the importance of credible elections and responsible journalism to Nigeria’s democratic development.
The GOCOP Annual Conference has become a major platform for dialogue and engagement on issues of national importance. The 2026 edition will mark a decade of sustained dialogue, advocacy and thought leadership by corporate online publishers in Nigeria.
