The Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) and the International Press Centre (IPC) have formalised their commitment to advancing gender-inclusive reporting in Nigeria’s democratic and electoral processes, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Monday, November 3, 2025.
GOCOP President, Danlami Nmodu, mni, signed on behalf of the Guild, while IPC Executive Director, Lanre Arogundade, signed for the Centre. The signing, which took place in Lagos, follows a consultative session between the two organisations in Abuja on May 30.
In his remarks, Nmodu stated that the partnership aligns with GOCOP’s mission to drive inclusiveness and gender equality in national discourse, particularly in politics and governance. He noted that the collaboration began during the tenure of GOCOP’s first female president, Maureen Chigbo, adding that his leadership will work to fully implement the objectives of the MoU.
“We are committed to promoting the voices and visibility of women and other minority groups such as Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in the governance space,” Nmodu said. He added that GOCOP would focus on sensitising female voters and amplifying their perspectives on issues of accountability, governance, and policy.
Nmodu emphasized the importance of restoring public trust in the electoral process, noting that elected officials must live up to their campaign promises. “GOCOP journalists will continue to scrutinise and report on the performance of public office holders, ensuring they remain accountable to the electorate,” he affirmed.
On his part, Arogundade said the MoU with GOCOP — along with a similar agreement with the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) — aims to foster inclusivity, transparency, and accountability ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He charged media organisations to lead impartial election coverage and hold stakeholders accountable throughout the electoral cycle.
“Inclusive, transparent elections are key to democratic trust. The media must shine the light on both the process and its outcomes,” Arogundade said, highlighting the role of technology and voter education in strengthening electoral integrity.
Also speaking, NAWOJ National Chairperson, Aisha Bura Ibrahim, reaffirmed the association’s commitment to amplifying women’s voices in politics and the media. She stressed the need for enhanced training opportunities for female journalists and called for more equitable newsroom policies.
“Women must be visible as voters, candidates, analysts, and election observers. Inclusive elections are trusted elections,” she stated.
Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Joe Ajaero, commended the partnership, urging the media to remain a voice for the people, especially during elections. Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force, represented by SP Orvenonne Ikwen, pledged its commitment to working with the media to ensure peaceful and credible elections in 2027.
A statement issued by
Kemi Yesufu,
Publicity Secretary,
GOCOP explained that the event also featured the presentation of IPC’s report, Safeguarding Electoral Integrity For Democratic Consolidation, developed under the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) programme.
