GOCOP unveils panelists for 10th annual conference on 2027 elections

The Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) has unveiled four panellists for its 10th annual conference scheduled for Thursday, October 8, 2026, in Lagos.

The panellists are Dr 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.

They are expected to examine the theme of the conference, “2027 Elections: Trust, Transparency and Shared Responsibilities.”

GOCOP Publicity Secretary, Kemi Yesufu, announced the panellists in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja.

Yesufu said the speakers were selected based on their experience and expertise in election security, journalism, media development, civic engagement and public communication.

READ ALSO; Amupitan to deliver keynote at GOCOP 10th annual conference on 2027 elections

She said the panel would examine the respective roles of electoral institutions, political actors, security agencies, the media and citizens in strengthening public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The conference will also feature a keynote address by the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN.

Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Dr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, will serve as chairman of the conference.

The event is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. at the Radisson Blu Hotel, 38–40 Isaac John Street, Ikeja GRA, Lagos.

The 2026 gathering marks the 10th edition of the GOCOP annual conference, which provides a platform for media executives, policymakers, academics, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to deliberate on issues affecting Nigeria.

GOCOP is a business membership organisation comprising 127 online publications in Nigeria. Its members are media entrepreneurs who own and operate digital publishing platforms across the country.

The Guild promotes ethical and professional standards in online publishing, advances the collective interests of digital publishers and advocates measures aimed at strengthening the sustainability and credibility of digital journalism in Nigeria.