The 26th Annual International Conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the African Council for Communication Education (ACCE), Nigeria Chapter, took place on Wednesday at The Dome, Calabar, Cross River State, bringing together top communication scholars, academics, policymakers, and practitioners from across the country and beyond.
By Victoria Omini, Calabar
Themed “Communication and Indigenous Knowledge Systems in the Era of AI, Big Data and Cultural Transformation,” the conference provided a platform for robust discussions on how African indigenous knowledge can be harnessed to shape communication, technology, and development in the digital age.
In his welcome address, President of ACCE Nigeria, Prof. Abdullahi Bashir, described the gathering as a testimony to the commitment of communication scholars toward national development and knowledge advancement.
According to him, the theme was carefully selected to emphasize the importance of Africa’s indigenous knowledge systems which, despite their richness, are often undervalued or ignored.
“Communication scholarship and practice in Africa are largely interpreted through Western ideas and theories,” he said. “It is time to revive and strengthen our indigenous systems to better serve our societies, especially in this era of AI, big data, and global cultural shifts.”
Prof. Bashir revealed that the conference attracted nearly 200 abstracts from participants across various Nigerian institutions and a few from other African countries. He commended the University of Calabar (UNICAL) and the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies for hosting the event despite ongoing industrial actions in Nigerian universities.
He also appreciated the support of the Vice Chancellor of UNICAL, Prof. Florence Obi, and the Organizing Committee led by Dr. Lawrence Eko, noting that the conference would yield practical outcomes and new research directions.
The ACCE President further urged the government and labour unions to employ indigenous approaches in resolving disputes, especially in the education sector.
“We extend our solidarity to ASUU and other unions,” he said, adding that the council hoped for “amicable resolutions through indigenous negotiation systems.”
Declaring the conference open on behalf of Governor Bassey Edet Otu, the Cross River State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Stephen Odey, underscored the relevance of the conference theme to the state’s education reform agenda.
“Governance in Cross River State thrives on effective communication,” he stated. “AI and data are now central to our education planning and development. The insights shared here will be of immense value to the state.”
He expressed gratitude to the ACCE for choosing Cross River as host and assured that the state government would continue to support intellectual engagements that promote development.
Representing the Vice Chancellor of UNICAL, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), Prof. Tony Inyang, described the conference as timely, especially in a period he referred to as a “cultural eclipse.”
“We are witnessing an erosion of cultural wisdom,” he noted. “It is important to use technological platforms to preserve and express our culture. Communication remains central to mobilizing collective vision and progress for society.”
Prof. Inyang added that the conference aligned with the university’s ongoing 50th anniversary celebrations, describing it as a “golden footnote” to the achievements of Prof. Florence Obi’s administration.
The Keynote Speaker, Prof. Abiodun Salawu from South Africa, spoke extensively on the usefulness of African indigenous languages in communication and development. He emphasized that language is not only a tool for information dissemination but also a vessel for preserving identity, values, and local wisdom in the digital age.
The conference continues with plenary sessions, paper presentations, and discussions expected to produce recommendations on integrating indigenous knowledge systems into communication education, practice, and policy in Africa.
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