The Association of Corporate Online Editors (ACOE) has unveiled a three-day programme to mark fourth anniversary, featuring humanitarian outreach, training on ethical journalism in age of artificial intelligence, and a major conversation on electoral security ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
The programme will culminate in the association’s 2nd Annual Lecture and Awards on Thursday, November 19, 2026, at 10 a.m. at the Army Resources Centre, Asokoro, Hall A, Mambilla Barracks, Abuja.
The announcement was made by ACOE Chairman, Comrade Shola Akingboye, at a world press conference in Abuja.
He said the anniversary was designed not only to celebrate the association’s four years of operation, but also to renew its commitment to professional journalism, public service and democratic development.
“ACOE has, over the past four years, remained committed to promoting speed, accuracy and truth in digital journalism, while encouraging professionalism, ethical standards and responsible journalism in Nigeria’s rapidly evolving media environment,” Akingboye said.
Programme to combine service, training and public dialogue
The first day of the anniversary programme will begin with a physical fitness activity for members of the association. According to ACOE, the initiative is intended to underscore the importance of journalists’ physical and mental wellbeing.
The fitness exercise will be followed by humanitarian visits to motherless homes, where members will provide support and assistance to children and other vulnerable persons.
Akingboye said the outreach reflected ACOE’s belief that journalism should extend beyond reporting society’s challenges to include empathy and practical engagement with affected communities.
“For us, journalism is not only about reporting the problems of society,” he said. “It is also about understanding those problems, identifying with vulnerable members of our communities and contributing, in whatever modest way we can, to making a difference.”
The second day will focus on professional development and members’ welfare. ACOE plans to hold an on-the-job training seminar on ethical digital in the era of artificial intelligence, alongside other topics relevant to contemporary media practice.
The seminar will be held under the theme, “What the AI Will Not Do.” Organisers said the training would help journalists and online editors take advantage of AI while preserving the principles of accuracy, verification, fairness, accountability and ethics.
The association identified misinformation, deepfakes, fabricated content, copyright concerns, manipulation and the erosion of public trust as some of the major risks
associated with the use of AI in journalism.
It said technology must serve journalism rather than replace the professional judgment and ethical responsibility of journalists.
ACOE targets electoral security ahead of 2027
The third day will feature the 2nd Annual Lecture and Awards, which organisers described as the climax of the anniversary celebration.
The lecture will focus on “Roadmap to 2027: Strengthening Electoral Security Through Collaboration Between INEC, the Media, and Political Parties for Credible and HitchFree Elections.”
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been selected as the keynote speaker and is expected to speak on the “Roadmap to 2027,” according to
the event’s planning committe
Chairman of the Planning Committee, Chux Ukwuatu, said the three-day event was designed to provide a platform for engagement, knowledge-sharing, networking and recognition of outstanding contributions.
Organisers said the lecture would bring together representatives of INEC, political parties, security agencies, civil society organisations, the media, government and the private sector
They expect close to 100 participants at the anniversary programme. ACOE said credible and peaceful elections could not be achieved by one institution alone.
It called for stronger coordination among INEC, political parties, security agencies, the media and citizens, with each stakeholder expected to fulfil its responsibilities.
The association also urged the media to ensure that information disseminated to the public is verified, accurate, balanced and responsibly presented as the country approaches the 2027 elections.
Akingboye warned that misinformation, disinformation, fake news, hate speech,
inflammatory political rhetoric and AI-generated deceptive content could weaken public confidence in the electoral process and threaten electoral peace.
He urged political parties and their supporters to embrace issue-based campaigns and avoid statements or actions capable of heightening tensions.
He also called on INEC to strengthen communication, transparency and engagement with stakeholders to build
public confidence.“We want the lecture to go beyond speeches,” Akingboye said.
“We want it to provide an opportunity for stakeholders to exchange ideas, identify practical challenges and develop workable solutions that can contribute to safer, more credible and more peaceful elections in 2027.”
Awards to recognise contributions to journalism and democracy
The third-day programme will also include the ACOE Annual Awards. The awards will recognise individuals and organisations considered to have distinguished themselves through contributions to journalism, democracy, public accountability, electoral
development and national service.
The association said the awards were intended not merely to celebrate past achievements, but also to encourage more people and institutions to contribute positively to society.
Commitment to responsible digital journalism
As online media increasingly becomes a major source of information for Nigerians, ACOE.said it was conscious of the responsibility that comes with the sector’s growing reach and influence.
The association pledged to continue promoting professionalism, credibility, accountability and responsible digital media practice.
It also urged its members to place truth before sensationalism, verification before publication and the public interest before personal or commercial considerations.
“As we approach 2027, we believe that the media must be part of the solution,”
Akingboye said. “We must help Nigerians understand the electoral process.
“We must provide credible information. We must give room for diverse voices. We must hold public institutions and political actors accountable, while also ensuring that our journalism does not become a tool for division.”
ACOE invited INEC, political parties, security agencies, civil society groups, media professionals, development partners and other stakeholders to participate in the anniversary activities and the electoral security conversation.
The association said the anniversary represented a renewed commitment to better journalism, professional development, humanitarian service and a democratic process in which Nigerians can participate with confidence.
