By Cletus Asuquo
The University of Calabar (UNICAL) is set to host the 26th Annual International Conference of the African Council for Communication Education (ACCE), Nigeria chapter, from October 21 to 24, 2025. Themed “Communication and Indigenous Knowledge Systems in the Era of AI, Big Data, and Cultural Transformation,” the conference will bring together scholars, media professionals, and policymakers from across Africa and beyond.
The University of Calabar’s Department of Mass Communication, will be hosting event which aims to explore how Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) can be preserved and adapted in the face of rapid digital transformation. Key discussions will cover journalism, broadcasting, media ethics, public relations, advertising, and development communication, among other topics.
Speaking on the significance of the conference, Dr. Lawrence Ekwok, Chairman of the Conference Organizing Committee, stated, “This conference will provide a crucial platform for academics and practitioners to discuss how indigenous knowledge can coexist with emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, and Virtual Reality.”
The ACCE has called for abstract submissions from researchers interested in presenting at the conference, with a deadline set for August 24, 2025. Registration is open for early-bird participants until May 30, 2025, offering access to networking opportunities and discussions on the future of IKS in Africa’s communication landscape.
Prospective participants are encouraged to submit abstracts aligned with sub-themes, including journalism, public relations, advertising, and political communication. Abstracts, limited to 250 words, must be submitted by August 24, 2025, to accenigeriaconferences@gmail.com.
Dr. Ibituru Pepple, ACCE National Secretary, reiterated the value of the conference, noting, “This event will challenge participants to think critically about how to preserve and adapt indigenous communication systems within modern frameworks.”
The conference’s 14 sub-themes include critical areas such as media ethics, broadcasting studies, and science communication, reflecting its broad scope. Discussions will address long-standing challenges of IKS marginalization and offer strategies for its integration into Africa’s communication landscape
With Nigeria and other African nations seeking to balance technological advancements with cultural preservation, the UNICAL-hosted conference is expected to contribute significantly to policy and academic discourse on indigenous knowledge integration in the digital age.
