Shettima, Diri, Media Leaders Set To Address Economy and Security Challenges At 20th Editors’ Conference

The 20th edition of the All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC) is set to kick off on Wednesday in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, bringing together top policymakers and media leaders to tackle pressing issues around Nigeria’s economic and security challenges.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, and Budget and Economic Planning Minister Atiku Abubakar Bagudu, among other influential figures, are scheduled to lead critical discussions during the event, which will run from November 7 to November 9.

In a press statement signed by Eze Anaba, President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), and Dr. Iyobosa Uwugiaren, General Secretary of the NGE, the body announced that Prince Nduka Obaigbena, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of THISDAY/Arise Media Group, would chair the conference. The theme of this year’s event is “Economic Growth and Development Strategies in a Resource-Rich Country.”

As Nigeria navigates a series of economic reforms implemented by the current administration, the conference aims to foster a deeper understanding of these changes and explore pathways for sustainable growth. The federal government has rolled out major fiscal adjustments, including subsidy removal and foreign exchange market reforms, intended to stabilize the economy and promote development. However, persistent inflation, a high poverty rate, and limited job creation have raised concerns among Nigerians and international observers alike.

“While the government has launched temporary cash transfers to mitigate the inflationary effects on vulnerable populations, reaching over 15 million households, many Nigerians continue to face challenges due to inflation, a volatile exchange rate, and rising energy costs,” the NGE statement said.

Attendees of the conference, expected to include over 350 editors and media executives, will also address the country’s media landscape, particularly issues of sustainability and fair compensation. Aremo Segun Osoba, former Ogun State Governor; Sam Amuka, Publisher of Vanguard Newspaper; Frank Aigbogun, Publisher of BusinessDay; and Azu Ishiekwene, Senior Vice Chairman of LEADERSHIP Newspaper Group, are among the media veterans set to share insights on media financing, artificial intelligence in storytelling, and global challenges facing journalism.

In a nod to evolving market dynamics, the NGE stressed the importance of supporting media viability and ensuring publishers receive fair compensation for their intellectual property. The Guild noted, “It is essential to develop strategies that allow publishers to diversify their revenue streams, protecting the media industry’s future and enabling continued delivery of quality journalism.”

With Nigeria’s poverty rate at around 40%, leaving an estimated 88 million people below the poverty line, and Nigeria ranking as the seventh-lowest on the global human capital index, the conference’s agenda will cover both short-term and long-term policy solutions to lift Nigerians out of poverty.

This year’s ANEC will feature presentations from key players in the private, public, and non-governmental sectors, along with the induction of 12 new editors, reinforcing the Guild’s commitment to fostering growth and innovation within Nigeria’s media industry.

Established in 2004, the annual ANEC conference has consistently served as a vital platform for industry leaders to discuss critical issues, set future agendas, and support Nigeria’s development journey. This year’s edition in Yenagoa is poised to further these objectives, bringing the nation’s economic, security, and media issues into sharp focus as experts seek collaborative solutions for a better future.
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