By Prince Uwalaka Chimaroke
6- NOV- 2025

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Saad Abubakar III, and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma have been announced as key figures headlining the 2025 Annual Conference of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) slated to hold in Abuja. The prestigious event is expected to gather media executives, policy makers and national stakeholders in an intensive discourse on democracy, governance and national unity.

According to an official statement signed by NGE President Eze Anaba and General Secretary Onuoha Ukeh, the two-day conference is scheduled for November 12 and 13, 2025. The opening ceremony will take place at the Presidential Villa Banquet Hall, after which sessions will continue at the Nigerian Air Force Conference Centre in Jahi, Abuja.

The Guild confirmed that President Tinubu will officially declare the conference open on November 12. The Sultan of Sokoto and media mogul Prince Nduka Obaigbena, Chairman of ThisDay Newspapers and Arise News, will serve as chairmen of the conference, providing leadership for the intellectual engagements that will follow.

The event is expected to host over 500 participants, including editors from various media houses, government officials, diplomatic envoys, business leaders and civil society advocates. The gathering will explore critical national questions under the theme “Democratic Governance and National Cohesion: The Role of Editors,” with a sub-theme focusing on “Electoral Integrity and Trust Deficit: What Nigerians Expect in 2027.”

The NGE noted that the theme is timely, considering the country’s political climate, economic challenges and the upcoming general elections. It emphasized that editors hold a strategic position in nation building and, as gatekeepers of information, play a vital role in fostering peace, accountability and public trust.

The line-up of speakers includes top legal, academic and security experts. Renowned constitutional lawyer Prof. Awa Kalu (SAN) will present a paper on “Election Disputes and Judicial Integrity: Navigating the Thin Line Between Law and Politics,” examining the complex relationship between justice and political interests in post-election litigations.

Also scheduled to speak is Prof. Sheriff Ghali Ibrahim, Head of Political Science and International Relations at the University of Abuja. He will address the topic “State of the Nation: Imperative of Economic and Political Reforms in a Challenged Nation,” focusing on structural reforms necessary to stabilize Nigeria’s governance and economy.

The second day of the conference will feature discussions centered on security and media responsibility. Former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor (rtd), will speak on “Media, Terrorism, and National Security: Addressing the Complexities,” highlighting the delicate balance between press freedom and national security interests.

Professor Abiodun Adeniyi, Dean of Postgraduate Studies at Baze University, will deliver a paper on “The Evolving Face of Journalism: Battling Misinformation, AI Disruption, and Credibility Gap,” with a focus on how modern journalism is being reshaped by technology, fake news and ethical concerns.

In addition to the plenary sessions, the conference will feature an Executive Session on November 13, where editors will interact directly with government officials, political leaders and industry experts in a closed-door dialogue on pressing national issues. The session aims to encourage actionable solutions and reinforce collaboration between the media and leadership.

The Nigerian Guild of Editors reaffirmed that the Annual Editors’ Conference remains a major platform for shaping national conversations and proposing solutions to political, economic and social challenges. It emphasized that the 2025 edition is expected to produce resolutions that will influence policy decisions and strengthen democratic governance.

By bringing together influential voices from media, government, traditional institutions and academia, the conference seeks to reinforce the role of journalism as a pillar of democracy and a catalyst for national cohesion.