By Dianabasi Effiong
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, is bubbling as editors of print, online, broadcast organisations and news agencies, under the umbrella of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), arrived from across the country for their annual conference, which is being held on November 12 and 13, 2025.
No fewer than 500 members of the NGE, government officials, members of the business community, and diplomatic corps, as well as people from all walks of life, are expected at the two-day conference held at the Presidential Villa Banquet Hall, Abuja, and the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Conference Centre, Jahi, Abuja, respectively.
NGE President, Eze Anaba, and General Secretary, Onuoha Ukeh, confirmed in a statement on Wednesday that President Bola Tinubu will declare the conference open on November 12, 2025, at the Presidential Villa Banquet Hall, Abuja, while the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Saad Abubakar, and Prince Nduka Obaigbena, Chairman of Arise New and This Day newspaper will be the Chairman of the conference.
The Guild said that Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, would be keynote speaker, emphasising that the theme of the conference, “Democratic Governance and National Cohesion: The Role of Editors,” and sub-theme as: “Electoral Integrity and Trust Deficit: What Nigerians Expect in 2027” were germane at this time when the country is facing socio-political and economic challenges.
Stating that the editors’ conference offered a credible platform to discuss and proffer solutions to issues about national development and cohesion, the Guild added that papers and speakers had been carefully selected to address nagging issues in governance, polity, and journalism.
The statement said that Prof. Awa Kalu, eminent lawyer, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and Managing Partner, Awa Kalu & Partners, would address the conference on Nov. 12, on “Election Disputes and Judicial Integrity: Navigating the Thin Line Between Law and Politics.”
Prof. Sheriff Ibrahim, HOD, Political Science and International Relations, University of Abuja, will take the stage thereafter to speak on: “State of the Nation: Imperative of Economic and Political Reforms in Challenged Nation” to conclude the day’s event.
On the second day of the conference on Nov. 13 at the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Conference Centre, former Chief of Defence State, Gen. Lucky Irabor, will speak on “Media, Terrorism, and National Security: Addressing the Complexities,” while the Dean, School of Post-Graduate Studies, Baze University, Prof. Abiodun Adeniyi, will interrogate “The Evolving Face of Journalism: Battling Misinformation, AI Disruption, and Credibility Gap.”
The NGE said that there would be an Executive Session on the second day of the conference, where editors will engage government officials, political leaders, and business leaders.
The ANEC is held every year for editors to address national issues that have social, economic, and political consequences in Nigeria.
