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Vice President Kashim Shettima will on Thursday declare open the 22nd All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC) of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) in Enugu, with more than 500 editors expected to deliberate on democracy, elections and the growing challenge of artificial intelligence-driven disinformation.
In a statement made available to the Daily Sun and signed by the NGE President, Eze Anaba, and General Secretary, Onuoha Ukeh, respectively, the Guild said the two-day conference will hold at The Dome, International Conference Centre, Opara Square Road, Enugu, from 2pm on Thursday, September 24, to Friday, September 25, 2026.
The conference has as its theme, “The Ballot, the Media and the Task of Keeping Democracy Alive,” while its sub-theme is, “When Lies Look Real: Detecting and Debunking AI Disinformation Before, During and After Election.”
Shettima is expected to address participants on democracy, elections, press freedom and national development, while Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Mbah, will also speak at the opening session.
The conference will bring together more than 500 editors, alongside government officials, academics, civil society representatives and other stakeholders. The Obi of Onitsha, His Royal Majesty Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, will chair the event, while former Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, will deliver the keynote address.
Professor Auwal Yadudu of Bayero University, Kano, will speak on “Public Trust, Electoral Justice and Democratic Stability,” while the immediate past President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, will examine “Election Petitions in the Digital Age: Independence, Evidence, BVAS and the Courts.”
Veteran journalists Martins Oloja and Owei Lakemfa will discuss “Reporting Terrorism Without Becoming a Tool for Terrorists,” while Professor Chinyere Okunna of Paul University, Awka, will address “Neutrality, Professionalism and Election Security in Democratic Governance.”
Dr Richard Okoye of Save A Life Hospital, Port Harcourt, will examine the human side of journalism, focusing on stress, deadlines and personal wellbeing, while Professor Farooq A. Kperogi of Kennesaw State University, Georgia, will lead discussions on detecting and debunking AI-generated disinformation.
The second day will feature an executive session beginning at 12:30pm, during which editors will engage governors, political party leaders and heads of government agencies and parastatals on issues affecting national development.
According to the Guild, the conference is designed to provide a platform for editors and other stakeholders to examine ways of strengthening democratic governance, credible elections, public trust and national development through responsible and responsive journalism. The event is being supported by the Enugu State Government, UNESCO, Craneburg, NNPC, Zenith Bank, NCC and other partners.
