ABUJA
Professor Desmond Onyemechi Okocha has emerged as the new chairperson of the Nigerian chapter of the International Communication Association (ICA), marking a seamless leadership transition at the Association’s maiden national conference.
The handover from the pioneer chairperson, Dr. Ekaete George, to Professor Okocha, her former deputy, took place during the two-day conference on March 24–25, 2026 at Nile University, in Abuja.
Themed: “Global Communication Shifts and Implications for Africa,” the conference drew scholars and practitioners for panels on AI, climate change and crisis communication.
Among the dignitaries was the minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris Malagi, represented by the director general of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Malam Ali Muhammed Ali. Also present was the executive secretary of the Nigeria Press Council, Dr. Dili Ezughah.
In his acceptance speech, Okocha, a Professor of Journalism and Emerging Media and dean, Faculty of Communication and Media Studies at Bingham University, Karu, Nasarawa State, unveiled his executive team to include Dr. Comfort Bulus, Dr. E. Y. E. Bassey, Dr. Godswill John, Mr. Odoh Diego Okenyodo and Mr. Adebusuyi Adedotun.
Professor Okocha pledged an aggressive membership drive targeting universities and industry practitioners to expand ICA Nigeria’s reach, launching a one-year renewable term.
In her farewell remarks, Dr. Ekaete George celebrated milestones like expanded membership, 13 Quarterly Seminar Series and enhanced national-global collaborations, urging sustained momentum.
Established in 1950 and now spanning over 80 countries, ICA has ramped up African engagement through chapters like Nigeria’s which was launched in 2023 to localise global scholarship on issues like media credibility, digital transformation and governance communication.
Observers hail the transition as strategic, positioning ICA Nigeria as a key platform for African voices in worldwide communication research.
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