Professor Salawu calls for policies to promote African languages and cultures in global digital spaces

Written by Olanrewaju Ogundeyi

Scholars and media professionals have renewed calls for the protection of Africa’s Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) at the 26th International Conference of the African Council for Communication Education (ACCE) in Calabar, Nigeria.

The four-day event, hosted by the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, University of Calabar, took place from October 21 to 24, 2025, at the Eskor Toyo Complex (ASUU Secretariat). The conference theme was “Communication and Indigenous Knowledge Systems in the Era of AI, Big Data and Cultural Transformation.”

Opening the conference, Professor Abdullahi Bashir, ACCE President and Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, University of Abuja, described indigenous knowledge as “an inheritance from our forefathers” that has long been “undervalued, ignored, and underutilised,” even by communication and media practitioners.

The keynote speaker, Professor Abiodun Salawu, who is also the Director of the Indigenous Language Media in Africa (ILMA) Research Focus Area at North-West University, South Africa, stressed the need to fuse traditional knowledge with modern and digital communication tools.

In his keynote address titled “The Indigenous, the Modern and the Avant-Garde: Fusion of Communication in Africa,” Salawu explored how indigenous communication forms, traditional media, and digital platforms can complement one another. He described today’s digital space as “radical, innovative, fast-paced, and sometimes intimidating,” but said it offers immense opportunities for cultural preservation and representation.

Using a captivating audiovisual presentation in Efik, Ibibio, Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba, the professor demonstrated how AI-driven tools and animations can be used responsibly to tell African stories more accurately and vibrantly. “Digital communication systems can reconnect communities, preserve culture, and archive indigenous content for future generations,” he said. Salawu added that new media platforms promote empowerment, self-determination, and civic engagement across Africa.

With over 200 academic publications to his credit, Professor Salawu emphasised that digital platforms are essential for challenging stereotypes and amplifying African voices in global discourse. He urged African governments to create policies that protect and promote indigenous cultures as technology continues to reshape communication. “Africa must adopt practical strategies to remain relevant in the evolving digital landscape,” he said.

In conclusion, Salawu lamented the poor online visibility of African languages and called for stronger research and policy measures to expand their footprint in global digital spaces.