*2027 elections, economic and insecurity challenges ‘focus of discussion’
The seventh yearly lecture of a leading Nigerian online newspaper, Freedom Online www.freedomonline.com.ng, will hold on Thursday September 3, 2026 in Lagos.
Venue is the Sheraton Lagos Hotel, Ikeja.
According to a statement by the newspaper’s Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief, Gabriel Akinadewo, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State is the Special Guest Speaker.
This is the second time Sanwo-Olu will deliver Freedom Online’s lecture. The first time was 2020.
While former Information Minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, is the Chairman of the 2026 lecture, former Governor of Ogun State, Senator Gbenga Daniel, is the Special Guest of Honour.
President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) and Editor of Vanguard, Eze Anaba, is the Chief Host.
According to Akinadewo, challenges facing the economy and insecurity, especially associated with elections in a developing economy like Nigeria, will be the focus of discussion at the seventh yearly lecture.
He disclosed that Freedom Online is focusing on how to tackle insecurity during the lecture “because it has become a monster, threatening to consume the nation-state called Nigeria.
“What does the future hold for Nigeria after the 2027 general elections? How will the election be conducted in a way that will be acceptable to all? Will the outcome lay a solid foundation for the future of the country?
“We believe that actions of politicians, security agents and INEC officials, before, during and after the election will, one way or the other, decide the fate of the more than 200 million Nigerians in this geographical space. Obviously, insecurity, part of which is thuggery during elections, leads to poverty, underdevelopment and other social vices. Nigeria’s political, economic and social fabric is disintegrating because of this time bomb and the outcome of the election will go a long way to decide Nigeria’s future in global affairs”.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State was the Special Guest Speaker during the sixth edition in 2025.
Other past speakers included former Governors Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Sanwo-Olu, Lai Mohammed, Governors Hope Uzodimma (Imo) and Douye Diri of Bayelsa State.
