The National President of the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN), Prof. Rotimi Olatunji, has called on communication scholars, media practitioners and other stakeholders to intensify efforts at promoting electoral transparency ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Olatunji made the call in a goodwill message delivered at the 2026 Annual Conference and Empowerment Programme of the Imo State chapter of the association, held at the Imo State University Auditorium, Owerri.
The conference, organised in partnership with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Imo State Council, was themed: “Mobilising Scholars and Professionals as Strategic Communicators for Election Transparency.”
According to Olatunji, communication scholars, journalists, strategic communicators and civil society organisations have a critical responsibility to strengthen democratic accountability, combat misinformation and disinformation, and foster public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.
He described the conference theme as timely and significant, noting that it aligns with ongoing efforts to consolidate democratic institutions as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections.
“The theme underscores the indispensable role of communication scholars, journalists, media professionals, strategic communicators and civil society actors in promoting credible elections, strengthening democratic accountability, combating misinformation and disinformation, and fostering public trust in electoral processes,” he said.
The ACSPN president noted that the Imo conference complements the association’s 2026 National Conference scheduled to hold in Abuja on September 2 and 3, where communication experts will further deliberate on strategic communication as a tool for electoral integrity, democratic governance and national development.
He also linked the Owerri conference to the South-West webinar organised by the association a day earlier on the theme, “Elections, Conflict and Security: Reappraising the Role of Media and Communications,” describing both engagements as evidence of ACSPN’s commitment to promoting excellence in communication scholarship and professional practice across the country.
Olatunji lauded the Imo State chapter for partnering with the NUJ to organise the conference and an accompanying empowerment programme, describing the initiative as a demonstration of the association’s commitment to bridging the gap between academic scholarship and professional practice.
He urged other state chapters of ACSPN to emulate the Imo chapter by organising impactful conferences, professional development programmes and community engagement initiatives capable of enhancing the visibility and relevance of the association nationwide.
The ACSPN president also congratulated recipients of awards presented during the conference, saying their contributions to communication, education, leadership, public service and community development exemplify the ideals of professionalism, integrity and nation-building championed by the association.
He expressed appreciation to the Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Beb Nwoke; the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Dr. Chinyere Ihuoma Ekomaru; the Vice-Chancellor of Imo State University, Prof. Uchefula Ugonna Chukwuma (SAN); keynote speaker, Prof. Osy Ezechukwunyere Nwebo; second speaker, Prof. K.O. Nwogwu; ACSPN Deputy President supervising the South-East and South-South zones, Prof. Ifeyinwa Nsude; South-East Vice-President, Prof. Uche Uwaoma; and the Imo State Coordinator, Dr. Mrs. Adeline Nkwam Uwaoma, for their contributions to the success of the programme.
Olatunji assured participants that the National Executive Council would provide the association’s Journal of Communication Research and Practice and official website as platforms for disseminating the conference proceedings to the global academic community.
