Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Dr Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), has accepted an invitation to chair the 10th Annual Conference of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), which will take place in Lagos on October 8, 2026, with discussions expected to focus on strengthening public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The announcement was made on Monday by the Chairman of the 2026 Conference Planning Committee, Mr Olumide Iyanda, in a statement issued by GOCOP’s Publicity Secretary, Ms Kemi Yesufu.

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The conference is themed “2027 Elections: Trust, Transparency and Shared Responsibilities”, reflecting growing national conversations around electoral credibility as political activities intensify before the next general election.

Iyanda said the event would bring together policymakers, political leaders, journalists, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to examine how collective action can reinforce the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system.

“The conference will provide a platform for thoughtful engagement on how government, political actors, the media and civil society can work together to promote transparency and protect the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process,” Iyanda said.

He described Agbakoba as an outstanding choice to chair the landmark event, citing the Senior Advocate of Nigeria’s decades of contributions to constitutional democracy, legal reform and good governance.

According to Iyanda, Agbakoba’s reputation as a respected lawyer, public intellectual and advocate for institutional reforms positions him to guide conversations on accountability, transparency and democratic development at a crucial period in Nigeria’s political calendar.

The conference also marks a significant milestone as the 10th edition of GOCOP’s annual gathering, which has evolved into one of Nigeria’s leading forums for discussions on governance, public policy, media practice and national development.

Founded to promote professionalism, ethical standards and credibility in digital journalism, GOCOP currently comprises 127 online publishing organisations.

Its membership includes editors and senior journalists who built distinguished careers in print and broadcast journalism before establishing independent online news platforms.

Over the past decade, the Guild has consistently used its annual conference to stimulate policy debates on issues affecting governance, the economy, security, media regulation and democratic accountability.

Previous editions have attracted senior government officials, legal practitioners, academics, diplomats and media executives, reinforcing the conference’s reputation as an influential platform for public discourse.

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The choice of Agbakoba to chair this year’s event comes as Nigeria prepares for another election cycle, with increasing calls for transparent institutions, responsible political leadership and a vibrant media capable of sustaining public trust in the democratic process.