With preparations in full swing, anticipation is building for the 2025 Annual Conference of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), which will bring together leading voices in media, governance, and policy to dissect the theme: “Reconciling Campaign Promises with Governance Realities: Challenges and Prospects.”
Now in its ninth edition, the high-profile conference is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja GRA, Lagos.
The annual gathering has become a significant platform for thought leaders, policymakers, and media professionals to engage in critical national conversations on governance, accountability, and the role of the digital press in shaping public discourse.
In a press statement signed by the Publicity Secretary of GOCOP, Ogbuefi Remmy Nweke, the Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee and GOCOP Deputy President, Danlami Nmodu, mni, confirmed that all arrangements have been concluded to ensure a highly impactful and well-attended event.
According to Nmodu, the 2025 conference aims to generate practical insights and strategies for bridging the gap between political campaign promises and the realities of governance in Nigeria and across Africa.
The event will feature a keynote address, followed by a high-level panel discussion involving seasoned experts in media, governance, and policy.
The conference, he said, would be chaired by the former Governor of Old Ondo State and former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, while the former Speaker of the House of Representatives and immediate past Governor of Katsina State, Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, would deliver the keynote address.
Panel discussants, he said, include the Director, Institute of Continuing Education, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof. Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndisika, and the Director-General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Alhaji Lanre Issa-Onilu.
Nmodu further noted that the GOCOP Conference has evolved into a credible platform for dialogue among online publishers, policymakers, and industry leaders, advancing the Guild’s mission of promoting responsible and ethical journalism in the digital age.
He recalled that past editions of the conference have featured notable personalities such as Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah; Mr. Boss Mustapha, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation; Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, INEC Chairman; Prof. Uche Uwaleke; and former Governor Liyel Imoke; who have all provided critical perspectives on national issues ranging from security and the economy to elections and digital transformation.
GOCOP, a professional body of over 120-member organisations, comprises publishers, editors, and senior journalists who transitioned from traditional media to online platforms, upholding the values of credibility, accuracy, and professionalism in digital journalism.
Nmodu emphasized that the GOCOP 2025 conference also presents strategic sponsorship and partnership opportunities for brands seeking meaningful engagement with influential media leaders, policymakers, and corporate decision-makers.
