By Wuraola Oyedokun
The University of Benin (UNIBEN), Edo State, will host the 9th International Conference of the West Africa Association for Commonwealth Literature and Language Studies (WAACLALS) from April 13 to 18, 2026, bringing together leading scholars, researchers, and thought leaders across the region to discuss the intersection of technology, creativity, and African scholarship.
Themed “The Creative Industry, Digital Humanities, and Artificial Intelligence: Disruptions and Transformations in African Scholarship and Society,” the conference will explore how technological advancements are reshaping the continent’s cultural, academic, and social landscapes.
The conference is being organised in collaboration with UNIBEN’s Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, with Prof. Marcellinus Okhakhu, Chairman of WAACLALS, serving as the host, and Dr. Daniel Ekhareafo as the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee.
The Vice Chancellor of UNIBEN, Prof. Edoba Omoregie (SAN), will serve as Special Guest of Honour, while the Keynote address will be delivered by Prof. Benjamin Olumuyiwa Popoola, Deputy Vice Chancellor of Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo.
Prof. Lendzemo Constantine Yuka, President of the West African Linguistics Association, will headline the event as Lead Presenter, bringing deep insights into the role of language and digital innovation in contemporary African contexts.
WAACLALS has issued a call for papers, inviting scholars to submit abstracts and full papers addressing the central theme or any of the various sub-themes via waaclalsconference2026@gmail.com. Additional details can be found at the association’s website: www.waaclals.org.com.
With the convergence of literature, language, artificial intelligence, and digital media at its core, the conference is expected to spark critical discussions on the future of African scholarship in the digital age, while also fostering collaborations between academia and the creative industry.
, Edo State, will host the 9th International Conference of the West Africa Association for Commonwealth Literature and Language Studies (WAACLALS) from April 13 to 18){kind=link}