The ICA Nigeria Chapter 1st National Conferences hosted by Nile University has ended in abuja, Nigeria’s capital with a call on communication scholars, professionals and media managers to give priority attention to the development of the communication and media space in Nigeria, to strategically reposition Nigeria as a leader in Africa and beyond.
In a welcome address by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Dilli Dogo, represented by the Head, Department of Mass Communication, Dr. Jacob Suemo, welcomed ICA Nigeria and conference participants to Nile University, ‘vibrant hub of academic excellence and innovation’ and described the conference as a ‘clarion call to reimagine Africa’s place in the global communication landscape’.
The conference brought together communication scholars and practitioners, institutional leaders, ICA President – Professor Thomas Hanitzch, ICA Past President and REACH Chair – Professor Thomas Contractor, ICA Fellows – Professors Srivi Ramasubramanian, Dominique Brossard and Raka Shome, and ICA Chapters representatives from India, Indonesia and Kenya for a historic academic and institutional gathering of the ICA regional Chapter in Nigeria.
Conference proceedings provided a platform for intellectual exchange, collaborative reflection, and strategic dialogue on global communication shifts and research perspectives for Nigeria, Africa, and the wider global community.
The engagements and deliberations included keynote addresses, a panel session centred on reflections on 1st ICA Conference in Africa June 4 – 6, 2026 and the 3rd Anniversary of ICA Nigeria.
Paper presentations from participants from 51 institutions and organisations across Nigeria covered all the conference sub-themes.
The conference also had in attendance government and national stakeholders in the media and communication sector, like the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi, represented by the Director-General of the News Agency of Nigeria, Malam Ali Muhammed Ali.
Also in attendance were the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Press Council, Dr. Dili Ezughah, Director of the Delta State Bureau for Orientation and Communications, Dr. Oghenesivbe Latimore Wilfred Esq, other key industry stakeholders.
These special guests all highlighted the role of the conference in improving the communication and media sector in Nigeria to occupy a deserving position globally.
Major highlights of the conference included: 1. Participation of Prof. Thomas Hanitzch, President of the International Communication Association;
Keynote addresses by distinguished scholars and professionals from Nigeria and the ICA global thought leaders (Prof. Yakubu Ozohu-Suleiman – Nile University of Nigeria; Prof. Esekong Andrew-Essien – University of Calabar; Dr. Dili Ezughah – Nigerian Press Council; Professor Srivi Ramasubramanian – Syracuse University; Yop Rwang Pam – Project by Projects; Dr. Bassey Ibiang Okon – Air Force Institute of Technology; Dominique Brossard, Ph.D. – University of Wisconsin– Madison; Professor Raka Shome – Villanova University; Professor Noshir Contractor – Chair, ICA Regional Endeavors, Affiliate Conferences, and Hubs (REACH) committee;
A strategic panel discussion on the theme: “Is Africa Ready for ICA26?” marking the 3rd Anniversary celebration of the ICA Nigeria chapter which was inaugurated in March 24, 2023;
Strong participation by ICA Chapter Chairs from Kenya, Indonesia and India, collaborators, and partner institutions;
Paper presentations – spread across hybrid parallel sessions – showcasing current research in the field;
The ICA Nigeria Chapter Leadership Transition Ceremony which saw a transition of Chapter Chair leadership role from the Founding Chair, Dr. Ekaete George (University of Port Harcourt) to Professor Desmond Okocha (Bingham University), marking an important institutional milestone for the organizing team in ICA Nigeria.
The ICA Nigeria 1st National Conference was held in partnership with the Department of Mass Communication, Nile University, and Faculties of Communication and Media Studies in Bingham University, University of Cross River State, Nasarawa State University, and University of Calabar. The West Africa Broadcast & Media Academy (WABMA) also participated hosted a session in the conference as partner and program sponsors. ICA Nigeria 2nd National Conference is scheduled to hold in March 2027.
