The 2026 All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC) will take place at the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Enugu on September 24 and 25, bringing together more than 500 editors from across the country to discuss the role of the media in safeguarding democracy and confronting the growing threat of artificial intelligence-driven disinformation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The two-day conference, organised by the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), is the flagship annual gathering of the Guild and brings together editors and other stakeholders to deliberate on major national and global issues with significant political, social, and economic implications.
The theme of this year’s conference 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.”
The Guild said in a statement signed by its President, Mr. Eze Anaba, and the General Secretary, Mr. Onuoha Ukeh, that the conference programme will also feature an Executive Session, which will bring editors into direct engagement with political leaders and senior officials from government institutions and agencies.
The session is intended to provide an opportunity for media leaders to engage with decision-makers on important national issues and exchange views on matters affecting governance, democracy, and national development.
The conference would provide an opportunity for media leaders and other stakeholders to examine the challenges confronting democracy and to consider the media’s responsibilities in protecting credible elections, strengthening public trust, and promoting democratic values.
The conference will be chaired by the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, while the former Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, will deliver the keynote address at the opening ceremony. The Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, will also address the conference.
Among the issues to be discussed during the conference is the relationship between public trust, electoral justice, and democratic stability, particularly as Nigeria prepares for another major electoral cycle.
The conference will also address the challenges facing journalists and news organisations in reporting sensitive issues, including terrorism and insecurity, without inadvertently becoming channels for amplifying the objectives of violent actors.
A major feature of the conference will be its focus on the growing danger posed by artificial intelligence-generated disinformation as advances in generative AI are making it increasingly possible to produce convincing but false text, images, audio, and video. The conference will, therefore, examine how journalists and editors can identify, verify, and debunk manipulated content before, during, and after elections.
The discussions are also expected to consider the increasing difficulty of distinguishing authentic information from AI-generated or manipulated material. The programme will explore strategies that newsrooms and media professionals can adopt to strengthen verification, fact-checking, and responsible reporting in an increasingly sophisticated digital information environment.
The NGE said the gathering will examine how the media can contribute to credible elections, strengthen accountability, and maintain public confidence while fulfilling its constitutional and professional responsibilities.
A number of prominent figures from the media, academia, government, and other sectors are also expected to participate in the discussions. Prof. Auwal Yadudu of the Faculty of Law at Bayero University, Kano will speak on “Public Trust, Electoral Justice, and Democratic Stability.”
The Ombudsman and Public Protector of This Day newspapers, Mr. Kayode Komolafe, and veteran journalist and civil rights campaigner, Mr. Owei Lakemfa will round off sessions for the first day of the conference with a joint presentation on “Reporting Terrorism Without Becoming a Tool for Terrorists.”
On the second day, the 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,” while the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Paul University, Awka, Prof. Chinyere Okunna, will address the conference on “Neutrality, Professionalism, and Election Security in Democratic Governance.”
The Founder and Chief Medical Director of Save A Life Hospital in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Dr. Richard Okoye, will speak on “The Human Side of Journalism: Managing Stress, Deadlines, and Personal Wellbeing,” while Professor of Journalism and Emerging Media at the Kennesaw State University in Georgia, in the United States of America, Professor Farooq A. Kperogi, will examine the conference sub-theme, “When Lies Look Real: Detecting and Debunking AI Disinformation Before, During, and After Election.”
The conference programme will also feature an Executive Session, which will bring editors into direct engagement with governors, political party leaders, and Heads of government parastatals on issues of national importance.
The session is intended to provide an opportunity for media leaders to engage with decision-makers on important national issues and exchange views on matters affecting governance, democracy, and national development.
