Shettima to Open Nigerian Editors’ Conference in Enugu Thursday
VICE President Kashim Shettima is expected to declare open the 22nd All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC) of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) in Enugu on Thursday, September 24, 2026.
The two-day conference, described as the flagship annual gathering of the Guild, will take place at The Dome, International Conference Centre, Opara Square Road, Enugu, beginning at 2pm on Thursday and continuing on Friday, September 25.
The National Lens reports that the conference is themed, “The Ballot, the Media and the Task of Keeping Democracy Alive,” with a sub-theme focused on the growing challenge of artificial intelligence-driven disinformation: “When Lies Look Real: Detecting and Debunking AI Disinformation Before, During and After Election.”
According to a statement issued by NGE President Eze Anaba and General Secretary Onuoha Ukeh, Shettima is expected to address participants on democracy, elections, press freedom and national development.
Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Mbah, is also scheduled to address the gathering, which is expected to attract more than 500 editors from different parts of Nigeria, as well as government officials, academics, civil society representatives and other stakeholders.
The Obi of Onitsha, His Royal Majesty Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, will chair the conference, while former Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, is billed to deliver the keynote address.
The programme will feature discussions on electoral justice, media ethics, election security, terrorism reporting, artificial intelligence, journalists’ wellbeing and the broader relationship between the media and democratic governance.
Professor Auwal Yadudu of Bayero University, Kano, will speak on “Public Trust, Electoral Justice and Democratic Stability,” while former Nigerian Bar Association President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, will examine “Election Petitions in the Digital Age: Independence, Evidence, BVAS and the Courts.”
On the second day, former Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of The Guardian Newspapers, Martins Oloja, and journalist and columnist Owei Lakemfa will discuss “Reporting Terrorism Without Becoming a Tool for Terrorists.”
Professor Chinyere Okunna, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Paul University, Awka, will speak on “Neutrality, Professionalism and Election Security in Democratic Governance.”
The conference will also address the pressures associated with journalism, with Dr Richard Okoye, Founder and Chief Medical Director of Save A Life Hospital, Port Harcourt, scheduled to speak on “The Human Side of Journalism: Managing Stress, Deadlines and Personal Wellbeing.”
Professor Farooq A. Kperogi, a Professor of Journalism and Emerging Media at Kennesaw State University in Georgia, United States, will lead discussions on AI-generated disinformation and strategies for identifying and countering false information around elections.
An Executive Session is also scheduled for 12:30pm on Friday, providing editors with an opportunity to engage governors, political party leaders and heads of government agencies and parastatals on issues of national importance.
The Guild said the conference would provide an opportunity for media leaders and other stakeholders to examine practical measures for strengthening democratic governance, improving public trust and promoting responsible journalism.
It will also focus on the challenges facing democracy and the role of the media in supporting credible elections, safeguarding democratic values and contributing to national development.
The 22nd ANEC is being supported by the Enugu State Government, UNESCO, Craneburg, NNPC, Zenith Bank, NCC and other partners.
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