Lagos State University (LASU), in collaboration with key professional bodies and leading African scholars, has concluded plans to confront Africa’s systemic human development challenges through the 11th International Conference of Community Psychology (ICCP 2026).
Scheduled to hold from August 28 to September 7, 2026, in Lagos, the conference is expected to attract over 700 participants from Africa and across the globe. The event aims to drive a paradigm shift in how psychology addresses social, economic, and developmental issues on the continent.
Speaking at a press conference to unveil the conference, LASU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, described ICCP 2026 as a major global platform for Community Psychology—an action-oriented discipline focused on wellbeing, social justice, empowerment, and systemic change at community and societal levels. She explained that the conference will emphasize collaborative, community-based approaches to developing sustainable solutions to Africa’s challenges.
With the theme “Gathering in the Motherland: Celebrating Ways of the Waters and Reconnecting to the Source,” Olatunji-Bello noted that ICCP 2026 highlights Africa as the cradle of humanity and knowledge, while calling for a reconnection of global psychological practice with indigenous wisdom and community-centred resilience.
She added that Community Psychology examines the relationship between individuals and their social, cultural, economic, and physical environments, applying research to address social injustice, mental health concerns, and systemic inequalities in partnership with communities.
Conference conveners, Andrew Zamani and Moshood Olanrewaju, disclosed that ICCP 2026 has received strong endorsements and partnerships from reputable bodies, including the Pan-African Psychology Union, Nigerian Psychological Association, and psychological associations from Ghana, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Tanzania.
Olatunji-Bello assured participants of adequate security, transportation, accommodation, and entertainment, stressing that Lagos offers international-standard facilities and a safe environment for global delegates. She added that hosting the conference presents Africa with a strategic opportunity to contribute meaningfully to global research and innovation in Community Psychology.
Also speaking, Temitayo Adewuyi, Alternative Chairperson of the Local Organising Committee, said ICCP 2026 would significantly benefit LASU and Nigeria, while Bonu Solomon, representing Badagry Constituency I, noted that the event would positively project Lagos State to the global community and called for broad stakeholder support to ensure its success.
