Whelan Research Academy has convened its 2026 international conference, drawing scholars from across the world to engage in critical discussions on Nigeria’s social, political and security challenges.
The conference, held last Friday, centred on the theme “Ndubuisi and Insecurity of Life in a Fractured Nigerian State: Repairing Our Broken Nation”, and provided a platform for intellectual reflection on the deepening crises confronting the country.
Speaking at the event, the Director of the academy, Rev. Fr. Anthony Njoku, said the institution remains committed to recycling ideas that positively impact society, the local Church and the wider Nigerian community. He explained that the conference was designed to stimulate constructive dialogue and generate practical solutions to national challenges.
The programme featured paper presentations, plenary sessions and guided tours, with discussions spanning religion, leadership, governance, security and the management of natural resources.
Among the notable presentations was a paper by Prof. Chidi Osuagwu, who examined the concept of Onwu ka Ike from the perspective of Igbo cosmology. Prof. Chidi Njemanze also delivered a paper analysing what he described as the transfer of “problematic seeds” from developed nations to third-world countries and its implications for development and sustainability.
Rev. Fr. Njoku commended the contributors for the depth and quality of their submissions, noting that the conference deliberately focused on Nigeria’s worsening insecurity and the urgent need for collective solutions.
The conference was documented through video coverage by Mammiya, with highlights expected to be shared across social media platforms.
Despite challenges such as limited funding and low attendance, the director expressed optimism about the future of the initiative, reaffirming the academy’s resolve to continue hosting forums that encourage critical thinking and national renewal.
