The Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), widely regarded as the holy grail of professional online journalism in Nigeria, has taken a bold step in telling its own story— a privilege many associations never get, through a new book titled “Nigeria Media Renaissance: GOCOP Perspectives on Online Publishing”.
The body has laid bare its inspiring journey, from inception to becoming a formidable force in Nigeria’s media landscape.
The book was officially unveiled on June 17 in Abuja at a high-profile event attended by top government officials, business leaders, diplomats, and media heavyweights. The gathering was not just a book launch, it doubled as a fundraiser for the proposed N2.3 billion GOCOP Media Centre, envisioned as a comprehensive media hub with offices, halls, a library, and more.
Among the dignitaries present were the current Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, who chaired the event, and his predecessor, Alhaji Lai Mohammed. Idris, known for his calm and measured approach, commended GOCOP for documenting its evolution and commended its professionalism in the face of an increasingly chaotic digital news environment.
The book captures the story of GOCOP with the flair and depth only seasoned journalists could deliver. Authored by GOCOP members, it offers a firsthand account of the organisation’s birth, struggle for relevance, and eventual dominance in Nigeria’s online publishing space. It is a vivid narrative of courage, vision, and tenacity, a testament to how a small group of professionals transformed an unregulated and often discredited digital journalism landscape.
Originally registered in 2013 with the Corporate Affairs Commission as the Nigerian Online Publishers Association (NOPA), the guild faced stiff opposition from untrained media actors who felt threatened by the emergence of a credible, ethics-driven group. This resistance led to a rebranding in 2014, giving rise to the name now synonymous with credible online journalism, GOCOP.
Today, GOCOP boasts a 120-member strong collective of experienced journalists with over 2,000 years of combined experience in print and broadcast media. Members include award-winning reporters, legal professionals, and editorial experts who cover the full gamut of human endeavor; politics, economy, environment, real estate, finance, education, and more. The guild is now a go-to platform for advertisers, researchers, and readers alike.
Beyond reporting, GOCOP members are media entrepreneurs contributing to Nigeria’s economy through job creation and tax payment. Their platforms are regarded as SMEs, but their influence far exceeds that bracket. GOCOP has emerged as a bastion of integrity in an online space once overrun by purveyors of fake news and blackmailers.
The book was reviewed by Dr. Ike Neliaku, president of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), who described it as “a classic documentation of the factual trajectory of a great destiny, whose time has come.” He praised the book’s engaging storytelling, use of visuals, poetic flourishes, and behind-the-scenes revelations about GOCOP’s early struggles, particularly during registration.
Neliaku recommended the book to students of journalism, PR professionals, lawyers, and anyone with an interest in media, saying it is both a historical and educational resource.
In the foreword to the book, Dapo Olorunyomi, publisher of premium Times, offered a cautionary reminder that freedom of the press must be vigilantly defended. “The lessons from history are clear: Freedom must never be taken for granted,” he wrote. “The online journalism community must collaborate to strengthen ethical, fact-based journalism and resist the forces that seek to undermine it.”
This resonates with GOCOP’s mission, to practice journalism rooted in ethics, truth, fairness, and justice. The guild has become more than an association, it is now a media movement, an institution of advocacy, development journalism, and public enlightenment.
As digital media continues to reshape the information ecosystem, Nigeria Media Renaissance stands as both a record of transformation and a guidebook for future generations. It belongs on the shelves of every higher institution, newsroom, law library, and media enthusiast’s collection in Nigeria.
