*The Guild of Corporate Online Publishers announces Prof. Joash O. Amupitan, Chairman of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission, is pencilled to deliver the keynote address at the Guild’s 10th Annual Conference scheduled to hold September 14, 2026, in Ikeja, Lagos State capital
Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect
Prof. Joash O. Amupitan, Chairman of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), is pencilled to deliver the keynote address at the 10th Annual Conference of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), scheduled to hold in Ikeja, Lagos State capital.
Mr. Olumide Iyanda, Chairman of the 2026 Conference Planning Committee and Deputy President of GOCOP, announced this Monday, September 14, 2026, in a statement by Ms. Kemi Yesufu, Publicity Secretary of the Guild.
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The conference with the theme, “2027 Elections: Trust, Transparency and Shared Responsibilities”, will hold Thursday, October 8, 2026, at Radisson Blu Hotel, 38 to 40 Isaac John Street, Ikeja GRA, Lagos.
Iyanda said the choice of Prof. Amupitan as keynote speaker is significant as Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 General Elections.
The Chairman of the 2026 Conference Planning Committee also noted that Nigerians’ attention now turns to the credibility of the electoral process, public trust in institutions, and the responsibilities of the different stakeholders involved.
The statement further noted that as INEC Chairman, Amupitan leads the institution responsible for conducting the 2027 General Elections.
The INEC Chief is a Professor of Law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), with a background in teaching, research and University administration.
His areas of scholarship include the law of evidence, corporate governance, company law, privatisation law and electoral jurisprudence.
Prior to his appointment as INEC Chairman, October 2025, he had held several academic and administrative positions, including Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration) and Dean of the Faculty of Law.l at the University of Jos (UNIJOS).
Iyanda as well stated that Amupitan’s combination of legal scholarship, administrative experience and responsibility for the conduct of the 2027 elections makes him well placed to address the conference.
He said: “The 2027 elections will be about more than what INEC does on election day.
“The credibility of the process will depend on the conduct of institutions, political parties and candidates, the media, civil society and the electorate.
“That is why we deliberately chose a theme that speaks to trust, transparency and shared responsibilities.”
The Deputy President of GOCOP also said: “The INEC chairman occupies a unique position in that conversation.
“Professor Amupitan has the responsibility of leading the institution that will manage the elections, but he also comes to that responsibility with a strong background in law, governance and institutional administration.
“We expect his keynote address to provide important insight into the preparations for 2027, the challenges ahead and what other stakeholders must do to support a credible process.”
Iyanda observed that the conference theme recognises that credible elections require more than the work of the electoral commission.
According to him, the conference will examine the responsibilities of electoral institutions, political parties and candidates, the media, civil society and voters as Nigeria prepares for another round of General Elections.
Discussions will also focus on public confidence in the electoral process, access to credible information, transparency, and the conduct of the different institutions and groups whose actions can affect the integrity of elections.
GOCOP had a similar engagement with INEC ahead of the last General Elections.
In 2022, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, then Chairman of the Commission, delivered the keynote titled: “2023 Elections: Managing the Process for Credible Outcome”.
Agbakoba is Chairman of 2026 Conference
The statement indicated the 2026 conference would be chaired by Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, one of Nigeria’s most influential legal minds, human rights advocates, and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
Agbakoba has been involved in Nigeria’s democracy and governance debates for several decades, with particular interest in constitutional reform, human rights, electoral reform, public policy and the rule of law.
Iyanda further stated that his experience makes him a good fit to chair a conference examining trust, institutions, and shared responsibility in the democratic process.
About GOCOP
The 2026 conference also marks the 10th Edition of the GOCOP annual conference.
GOCOP is a business membership organisation of 127 foremost and credible online publications in Nigeria.
Its members are media entrepreneurs, who own and operate digital publishing businesses across the country.
The Guild promotes the business and ethics of online publishing, professional standards and the collective interests of its members. It also works to strengthen the sustainability and credibility of digital journalism in Nigeria.
With a growing number of Nigerians getting their news and public information online, GOCOP encourages responsible publishing and credible journalism while drawing attention to issues affecting the growth and sustainability of the digital media industry.
Iyanda said the conference would also provide an opportunity for online publishers to examine the responsibility of the media in providing accurate, fair and credible information as political activities increase ahead of the 2027 elections.