Bridging Tradition and Technology: NSUK Hosts 2nd International Conference on Indigenous Knowledge and Religion in the Digital Age

Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), through its Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, Faculty of Arts, has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting cutting-edge research and preserving Africa’s rich cultural heritage by hosting the Second International Conference on Language, Indigenous Knowledge System (IKS) and Religion in the Digital World.

The conference, held on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at the University Assembly Hall, brought together distinguished scholars, government officials, religious leaders, policymakers, students, and other stakeholders to explore how indigenous knowledge, language, and religion can remain relevant and impactful in an increasingly digital world.

Declaring the conference open on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sa’adatu Hassan Liman, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Halima Aliyu Doma-Kutigi, commended the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies for organizing what she described as a timely and intellectually enriching conference.

Professor Doma-Kutigi noted that the conference theme reflects the realities of a rapidly evolving digital society, stressing that language, religion, and indigenous knowledge remain indispensable pillars for sustainable development and social cohesion. She described religion as one of the oldest custodians of language and emphasized that integrating Indigenous Knowledge Systems into contemporary scholarship would strengthen interdisciplinary research and provide practical solutions to emerging societal challenges.

She reaffirmed the University’s unwavering commitment under the leadership of the Vice-Chancellor to supporting academic initiatives that promote innovation, preserve cultural heritage, and advance global scholarship.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Head of the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, Dr. Ishaya Owusakyo Oyiwose, expressed gratitude to the University Management, participants, and partners for their support. He particularly appreciated the Vice-Chancellor for her consistent investment in research, academic excellence, and intellectual engagement.

Dr. Oyiwose described language as far more than a communication tool, noting that it embodies the identity, history, worldview, values, and collective wisdom of every people. He added that religion and indigenous knowledge systems remain critical in promoting ethical values and preserving humanity’s cultural heritage.

The keynote lecture, titled “Reimagining Language, Indigenous Knowledge System and Religious Expression in the Digital Age,” was delivered by Professor Amodu Eneojoh Jonah, who examined the complex relationship between language, indigenous knowledge, religion, and digital technology.

Professor Jonah identified major challenges confronting indigenous knowledge in the digital era, including issues of ownership and consent, cultural misrepresentation, and algorithmic bias, where digital platforms and artificial intelligence systems often prioritize Western data at the expense of African languages and indigenous knowledge.

He advocated stronger collaboration among government, universities, technology developers, and local communities to develop AI systems trained on African languages and indigenous cultural datasets. He also recommended the establishment of community-owned digital platforms, expanded digital literacy programmes, and increased investment in indigenous content creation and cultural entrepreneurship as practical steps towards preserving Africa’s cultural identity in the digital age.

The conference also featured goodwill messages from several distinguished guests, including the Divisional Police Officer of Anguwan Lambu, Mr. Idrisu John Kennedy; Dr. Abdulkarim Umar of the Department of Philosophy, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; Venerable Jibailu Yerima Dabong, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Nasarawa State on Christian Religious Affairs; and Hon. Jonathan Gaza Gbefwi, Member representing Karu, Keffi, and Kokona Federal Constituency.

The speakers unanimously commended the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies for organizing a successful conference and applauded the visionary leadership of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sa’adatu Hassan Liman, in creating an enabling environment for quality research, academic collaboration, and intellectual discourse. They stressed that preserving indigenous knowledge, language, and ethical values through responsible digital innovation remains essential to national development.

The conference concluded with the presentation of Awards of Excellence to the keynote speaker and other distinguished personalities in recognition of their outstanding contributions to scholarship, cultural preservation, and national development.

The successful hosting of the conference further underscores Nasarawa State University, Keffi’s growing reputation as a centre of academic excellence, research innovation, and global intellectual engagement, while reinforcing its commitment to advancing indigenous knowledge systems as valuable resources for addressing contemporary challenges in an increasingly digital world.

©️ Information and Protocol Unit, 2026.
Nasarawa State University, Keff