The University of Calabar (UNICAL) is set to take center stage in global academic discourse as it hosts the 26th Annual International Conference of the African Council for Communication Education (ACCE), Nigeria Chapter, from October 21–24, 2025.
Organized by the Department of Mass Communication, this year’s theme, “Communication and Indigenous Knowledge Systems in the Era of AI, Big Data, and Cultural Transformation,” aims to explore the intersection of traditional wisdom and cutting-edge technology.
Bridging Tradition and Technology
The conference will convene a diverse audience of academics, media professionals, policymakers, and development experts to delve into the evolving role of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) in the modern communication landscape.
In a media briefing held in Calabar, Dr. Lawrence Ekwok, Chairman of the Conference Organizing Committee, emphasized the event’s importance:
“We are in a critical moment where the preservation and relevance of indigenous knowledge must be reconsidered in the context of Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, and Virtual Reality. This conference will explore how these systems can coexist and reinforce each other,” he stated.
Sessions will touch on key communication sectors such as:
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Journalism
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Broadcasting
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Media Ethics
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Public Relations
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Advertising
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Development Communication
A Call for Scholarly Engagement
The ACCE has opened its call for abstracts, encouraging scholars and researchers to contribute to the discourse. Submissions must align with one of the 14 sub-themes carefully curated to examine the integration of indigenous knowledge into Africa’s digital communication ecosystem.
🗓 Abstract Deadline: August 24, 2025
💼 Early-Bird Registration: Open until May 30, 2025
Participants will enjoy access to thought-provoking sessions, networking opportunities, and collaborative knowledge exchanges that spotlight the future of indigenous communication in a digital world.
Rethinking Communication in a Changing World
Dr. Obituru Pepple, ACCE’s National Secretary, reiterated the event’s significance:
“This conference challenges scholars and communication professionals to reimagine indigenous communication methods amid rapid technological change. We must address the ongoing marginalization of indigenous knowledge systems and find ways to integrate them meaningfully into Africa’s future.”
With digital disruption transforming every facet of society, the UNICAL-hosted conference is set to play a pivotal role in shaping future academic, media, and policy dialogues around the role of indigenous knowledge in Africa’s communication landscape.
