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The Association of Corporate Online Editors (ACOE) has fixed Thursday, November 19, 2026 for its 2nd Annual Lecture and Awards in Abuja, with a call for deeper synergy among the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the media, political parties and other stakeholders to deliver credible and peaceful polls in 2027.
Chairman of the Association, Comrade Shola Akingboye, announced the date at a world press conference on Thursday in Abuja.
He said the event will hold at Hall A, Army Resource Centre, Mambilla Barracks, Asokoro, Abuja.
The 2026 edition is themed: “Roadmap to 2027: Strengthening Electoral Security Through Collaboration Among INEC, the Media, and Political Parties for Credible and Hitch-Free Elections.”
Akingboye said the theme was deliberately chosen as the countdown to the 2027 general elections begins, noting that electoral credibility and security cannot be secured by one institution alone.
According to him, INEC, political parties, the media, security agencies and civil society must work in concert before, during and after elections to protect the integrity of the process.
He said the media has a duty to provide accurate, verified and timely information while holding all electoral actors accountable within the bounds of professional ethics.
He also charged political parties to embrace issue-based campaigns, shun inflammatory rhetoric and caution their supporters against violating electoral rules.
The ACOE chairman warned that misinformation, disinformation, hate speech and fake news remain potent threats to electoral peace and public confidence, and called for improved communication and information-sharing among stakeholders to counter them.
He said the annual lecture will serve as a platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas, propose practical solutions and craft a collective roadmap for safer, more credible elections in 2027.
The lecture will also honour individuals and organisations that have distinguished themselves in journalism, democracy, public accountability, electoral development and national service.
Giving details of the programme, Chairman of the 2026 Annual Lecture and Awards Planning Committee, Chux Ukwuatu, said this year's anniversary has been expanded into a three-day event covering fitness, humanitarian service, professional development, lecture and awards.
He said Day One will feature a physical fitness exercise for members and humanitarian visits to motherless homes, aimed at promoting the physical and mental wellbeing of journalists and encouraging social responsibility.
Day Two will focus on capacity building with an on-the-job training seminar on ethical digital journalism in the era of Artificial Intelligence.
The training, themed “What the AI Will Not Do,” will examine AI opportunities and risks including misinformation, deepfakes, fabricated content, copyright issues and erosion of public trust, while stressing the need for journalists to retain professional judgment and ethical responsibility.
Day Three will be the climax — the Annual Lecture and Awards. The INEC Chairman is expected to deliver the keynote address on the 2027 electoral roadmap.
The event is expected to attract about 100 participants, including ministers, senior government officials, politicians, media professionals, civil society actors, development partners and security agencies.
Akingboye reaffirmed ACOE's commitment to professional, responsible and people-centred online journalism that advances Nigeria's democratic development, urging all stakeholders to actively participate in the programme.
He stressed that electoral security and credibility remain a collective responsibility.