By Igbang Juliet Ikedie, LASU
Lagos State University (LASU) will host the 11th International Conference of Community Psychology (ICCP 2026) from August 28 to September 7, 2026
The Vice Chancellor of LASU and Chairperson of the Local Organising Committee, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, disclosed this on Monday during a press conference on campus.
She said the conference, with the theme: “Gathering in the Motherland: Celebrating Ways of the Waters and Reconnecting to the Source,” seeks to reposition Africa as a central contributor to global psychological knowledge by reconnecting modern practice with indigenous wisdom and community-centred solutions.
She explained that the conference would be held in three phases, comprising pre-conference activities from August 28 to 30, the main conference from September 1 to 4, and post-conference activities from September 5 to 7, 2026.
Each phase, she noted, is designed to promote academic engagement, community interaction, professional networking, and cultural exchange.
Prof. Olatunji-Bello described community psychology as an action-oriented discipline that focuses on improving wellbeing at community and societal levels, stressing that the conference would address issues such as social injustice, mental health challenges, empowerment, and systemic inequality through collaborative, community-based approaches.
She said Lagos State was chosen as host due to its status as Nigeria’s commercial and intellectual hub, adding that hosting the conference at LASU further affirms the university’s role as a centre for scholarship, community engagement, and international academic exchange.
The VC noted that LASU is hosting the conference in partnership with the Nigerian Psychological Association and the Pan-African Psychology Union, with endorsements and support already received from several regional and international professional bodies, including the American Psychological Association, Psychological Society of South Africa, and universities across Africa and North America.
Addressing concerns about safety, she assured prospective international delegates that Lagos State is safe, secure, and fully prepared to host the global event, noting that the organising committee is working closely with relevant government agencies and security institutions to ensure effective safety, logistics, and immigration arrangements.
She emphasised that ICCP 2026 will prioritise inclusion and accessibility, with plans in place to accommodate persons with disabilities and participants from diverse backgrounds, while also leveraging tourism, hospitality, and economic opportunities for the state.
Prof. Olatunji-Bello called on governments, corporate organisations, philanthropists, and the media to partner with LASU in hosting the conference, describing ICCP 2026 as more than an academic gathering but a platform for global collaboration, innovation, and community impact.
She reaffirmed LASU’s readiness to welcome the world, stating that the conference reflects a shared commitment to academic excellence, inclusion, and sustainable community development.