The African Council for Communication Education (ACCE) Nigeria has called for the integration and revival of indigenous knowledge systems in Africa ‘s development and future.
Speaking at the ACCE’s 2025 National Conference in Calabar yesterday, president of ACCE, Prof. Abdullahi Bashir, highlighted the significance of indigenous knowledge in the era of technological advancements and global challenges.
The conference, themed “Communication and Indigenous Knowledge System in the Era of AI, Big Data and Cultural Transformation,” aimed to underscore the value of African indigenous knowledge systems.
He averred that despite the richness of African cultures, the continent’s communication scholarship and practice are are still interpreted through Western theories rather than being viewed symmetrically.
He acknowledged that while indigenous knowledge systems in Africa are still marginalized, they are experiencing a resurgence in the face of global technological developments.
The professor called on governments and unions to adopt indigenous negotiation approaches in resolving industrial disputes, particularly in the education sector.
In his remarks, Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State, represented by the Commissioner for Education, Sen. Stephen Odey, emphasised the importance of effective communication in governance.
The state chief executive urged the conference to make its proceedings available to the State Ministry of Education for possible inclusion in the curriculum.
In her remarks, vice chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Obi, represented by one of the university’s lecturers, Prof. Tony Inyang, noted that the conference was timely, given the current cultural eclipse in Africa.
The VC emphasised the need for Africa to leverage technology to express its culture and heritage, stating that communication is crucial in galvanizing a shared opinion and collective vision for the continent’s progress.
