Information Minister Recognises ACOE, Approves Association as Chief Host for 2026 Event
Oru Leonard
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has endorsed the Association of Corporate Online Editors (ACOE) and approved the association’s request to serve as Chief Host for its 2026 event.
The development marks a significant breakthrough in ACOE’s efforts to secure institutional recognition and strengthen its relationship with the Federal Government through the Ministry of Information.
The association disclosed this in a communication to its members, explaining that the approval followed sustained engagements, several official correspondences and persistent efforts to secure recognition from the Ministry.
According to the association, its efforts to establish a formal relationship with the Office of the Minister of Information began during the administration of former Minister Lai Mohammed but encountered various challenges that continued under the present administration.
ACOE said it intensified its engagements despite the difficulties, eventually securing the Minister’s approval for a courtesy visit by its leadership.
Although the proposed meeting has yet to take place due to the Minister’s demanding official schedule and presidential assignments, the association said the latest approval represents a major step forward.
It further disclosed that the Ministry has officially included ACOE on its media platform, creating an opportunity for the association to participate in publishing and disseminating the Ministry’s press statements and official communications.
Describing the development as more than a symbolic recognition, ACOE said the engagement could open up opportunities for institutional collaboration, government media engagements and advertising opportunities for its members.
The association noted that other media organisations and professional bodies had benefited from similar relationships with the Ministry, stressing the importance of securing ACOE’s position within the Federal Government’s media engagement framework.
It cited the experiences of broadcasting stations, newspaper proprietors and the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) as examples of media organisations maintaining institutional relationships with the Ministry.
ACOE, however, maintained that its recognition by the Ministry was only one phase of its broader institutional development agenda.
The association also identified its ongoing engagement with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) as another priority, expressing confidence that existing challenges would eventually be resolved.
It urged members to remain united, committed and strategic in consolidating the latest achievement, while positioning the association to benefit from emerging opportunities in Nigeria’s media and communication industry.
The association described the Minister’s approval as an important milestone in its quest for greater visibility, institutional recognition and relevance in the nation’s media landscape.
