Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Dr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), has accepted to chair the 10th Annual Conference of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), scheduled for October 8, 2026, in Lagos.
The announcement was made by the Chairman of the 2026 Conference Planning Committee, Olumide Iyanda, in a statement issued on Monday by GOCOP’s Publicity Secretary, Kemi Yesufu.
The conference, themed “2027 Elections: Trust, Transparency and Shared Responsibilities,” will examine the roles of government, political actors, the media and civil society in promoting credible elections and strengthening public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Iyanda said the event comes at a critical period as political activities gather momentum nationwide, adding that the discussions will focus on fostering transparency, accountability and institutional integrity.
He described Agbakoba as a fitting choice to lead the conference, citing his longstanding contributions to democratic governance, the rule of law and institutional reforms in Nigeria.
According to Iyanda, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria has earned national and international recognition through his work as a legal practitioner, public intellectual and advocate of democratic development.
The 2026 edition also marks the 10th anniversary of GOCOP’s annual conference, which has become a prominent platform for discussions on governance, public policy, media practice and national development.
Founded to promote professionalism, ethical standards and credibility in online journalism, GOCOP comprises 127 online publishing organisations led by editors and senior journalists with backgrounds in print and broadcast media.
The Guild said it remains committed to advancing responsible journalism, media self-regulation and informed public discourse in support of Nigeria’s democratic growth.
