Welcome to the annual NLDSTC 2025!

This year’s program features a dynamic range of engaging topics and interactive workshops, all designed to deepen your expertise in language preservation, innovation, and community empowerment. Each session has been carefully crafted to cater to diverse interests and learning goals. To make the most of your conference experience, we encourage you to browse the session details and register for those that best match your objectives. While attendance is free, we recommend securing your spot early due to high demand. Don’t miss out on these inspiring opportunities!

Conference Registration

Language as Infrastructure: Digital and Economic Development Through Quality

Monday, August 18, 2025 9:00 - 9:45 AM

This keynote session explores the vital role of Language Service Providers (LSPs) in positioning African languages as foundational infrastructure for digital innovation and economic growth. In a global landscape where language access is closely tied to participation and inclusion, quality language services are not just a support function, they are a strategic driver of development.

African Intelligence in the Era of Artificial Intelligence (Ọgbọ́n Ìjìnlẹ̀ Adúláwọ̀ Láyé Ọgbọ́n Àgbélẹ̀rọ)

Monday, August 18, 2025 10:00 - 10:45 AM

This session, presented in Yorùbá language, examines the nexus between African intelligence and artificial intelligence. African intelligence is a unique blend of diverse peoples, histories, identities, tongues, cultures, stories (painful and sweet) and what we could call a world on its own "Africa".

The Role of AI in Dataset Creation and Collection (Rawar da AI ke takawa wajen ƙirƙira da tattara Rumbun bayanai)

Monday, August 18, 2025 11:00 - 11:45 AM

This session, presented in Hausa language, explores the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the creation and collection of datasets for Nigerian languages. As AI systems depend heavily on data, the development of quality language datasets is essential for inclusion and representation.

Impact of Colonialism on igbo Language: The Phonological Abnormalies (Mmetụta Mbịarachịwa N'Asụsụ Igbo: Nkwarụ Dị Na Mkpọpụta na Ndepụta)

Monday, August 18, 2025 12:00 - 12:45 PM

This session will explore the orthography of the Igbo language and misuse of tonal markings, which give words their meaning. Augustine and his team will dissect and highlight the abnormalities in spelling and pronunciation as they abound in the Igbo language.

Indigenous Language content creation as a tool for language and cultural sustainability (Ṣíṣe Àtinúdá Ìwífún Alálàyé sórí Ẹ̀rọ-ayélujára ní Èdè Abínibí gẹ́gẹ́ bí Ohun-èlò Ìmúgbòòrò Èdè àti Àṣà)

Monday, August 18, 2025 2:00 - 2:45 PM

The session in the Yorùbá language aims to emphasise the need for content creation in the Yoruba language and encourage participants to play active roles in ensuring the representation of Yorùbá in the digital space.

Reviving the Hyam Language Through Cultural Content Creation: Voice of Ham Model

Monday, August 18, 2025 1:00 - 1:45 PM

This workshop will explore how indigenous language content creation can help revitalise endangered languages, with a focus on the Hyam language spoken in Southern Kaduna. Drawing from the experience of the Voice of Ham (VOHA) initiative, the session will demonstrate how cultural pride and digital tools can intersect to preserve language.

How Not to Use ChatGPT for Translation in Minoritised Languages

Tuesday, August 19, 2025 10:00 - 10:45 AM

This hands-on workshop session by expert marketing localiser Adéṣínà Ayẹni will explore both the possibilities and limitations of using ChatGPT and other transformer models when translating minoritised languages. Participants will learn practical tips on how to and how not to leverage these tools responsibly and effectively in their translation work.

It Takes a Village: The Power of Community in Building Digital Tools for Nigerian Languages

Monday, August 18, 2025 3:00 - 3:45 AM

Ijemma Onwuzulike, the Co-founder, Nkọwa okwu will be delivering the second keynote titled; It Takes a Village: The Power of Community in Building Digital Tools for Nigerian Languages. The keynote will highlight the power of collective efforts in building digital tools for Nigerian languages

Ọ̀nà àátọ̀ lórí Èdè Abínibí fún Ìpamọ́ àti Àkásílẹ̀ Móhùn-máwòrán

Tuesday, August 19, 2025 09:00 - 9:50 AM

Join Àyánkọ́lá Àyánwuyì, founder of AIF Media on this session in Yorùbá language. The session dives into strategies and a case study of AIF Media in archiving the Yorùbá indigenous language and culture on the web.

Digital Inclusion: Discussing Sign Language Inclusion in Software Development

Tuesday, August 19, 2025 11:00 - 11:45 AM

This session, by Deaf accessibility advocate and tech inclusion leader Abubakar Mumbu Idris, focuses on language rights and the inclusion of sign language in education, technology, and public communication as a means to empower deaf youth, women, and grassroots communities with the tools to participate fully in the digital world.

Do you know how to type your language using a computer or your mobile phone? Join this session and watch the revelation of computer settings, keys, keyboard recommendations, and shortcuts to typing conveniently in your language. You will also learn how to add tonal marks in your digital devices.

Learn How to Type in Your Indigenous Language: Using Asụsụ Igbo as a Guide

Tuesday, August 19, 2025 12:00 - 12:45 PM

ANWỤ - Do you jettison the moon because the sun shines brighter?

Tuesday, August 19, 2025 1:00 - 1:45 PM

ANWỤ dị mkpa ka Ọnwa. ANWU chaba, Ka Ọnwa tibe. Ị rụpụta ihe ejije. This session looks at the value of developing the Igbo language. Participants will see why it is important and profitable to speak and learn our mother tongue, as we speak and learn other languages.

Ifá as a Pedagogical Tool for Multimedia Education and Cultural Diplomacy

Tuesday, August 19, 2025 2:00 - 2:45 PM

This session, by Babaláwo, Olúwo Ọláwọlé Ọlákúnlé, MKO, explores the ancient Yorùbá knowledge system of Ifá as a powerful pedagogical tool for multimedia education and a strategic resource for cultural diplomacy. The session aims to reframe Ifá not just as a spiritual practice, but as a sophisticated system of logic, language, and narrative structure that can inform modern teaching methodologies and creative tech.

Join Igbo chant performer, poet, storyteller, and passionate advocate for indigenous languages, Amarachi Attamah-Ugwu, as she analyses the impact of technology in interpreting African languages, focusing particularly on the Igbo language.

Digital Preservation of Indigenous Artefacts: The Role of Technology in Contextual Interpretation

Tuesday, August 19, 2025 3:00 - 3:50 PM

Promoting Indigenous Language Speaking Culture Through Content Creation

Wednesday, August 20, 2025 9:00 - 9:45 AM

African languages are still lagging in the digital space, largely due to the minimal content and limited resources available in these languages. This session explores strategies for fostering a vibrant speaking culture of indigenous languages through innovative content creation.

Language Digitisation: Role of Digital Dictionaries in Promoting Nigerian Languages

Wednesday, August 20, 2025 10:00 - 11:00 AM

This session discusses how language professionals can get the most out of LinkedIn. Participants will learn how to build a strong profile, build meaningful connections, and increase their online presence. Participants will leave with practical tips on how to leverage LinkedIn to take their career to the next level.

Join Philip Akoda, creator of Yorùbá Dictionary, on this session if you want to learn about the process of dictionary-making and how digital dictionaries can support language preservation, accessibility, and education of minoritised languages in the digital age.

LinkedIn For Language Professionals: Networking, Visibility and Career Growth

Wednesday, August 20, 2025 12:00 - 12:45 PM

From Policy to Practice: Designing Nigeria’s AI Education Framework with Multilingual Innovation at Its Core

Wednesday, August 20, 2025 1:00 - 1:45 PM

Given the multi-ethnic nature of Nigeria, which prides itself on over 500 languages, it is a perfect context for what multilingualism means and how AI innovation could have both negative and positive impacts on the multinational system of education. Consequently, this session covers challenges of AI in a multilingual setting, provides practical suggestions, and makes future predictions on what stakeholders can do concerning the state of multilingualism and education in Nigeria

Animation as a Valuable Tool for Language Digitization and Development

Wednesday, August 20, 2025 2:00 - 2:45 PM

This panel brings together three experienced tutors and founders of Yorùbá language schools (Alámọ̀já Yorùbá, Akọ́nilédè Yorùbá and Àṣàlẹwà) to surface core challenges and share the practical solutions they have developed along the way. This session is an avenue to give back to the community and pay their knowledge forward to the new generation of online Yorùbá tutors.

In this session, Sophia, an Igbo language promoter, and Udochi Okeke, the creative force behind Mmuta Di Uto, will discuss the power of bringing culture to life through vibrant animated stories and fun, educational videos for children and learners. They will also be joined by Onyekachi Ogbu to explore the value of animation as a tool for language documentation, especially for children and young people.

Navigating Online Yorùbá Teaching: Children vs. Adults & Heritage vs. L2 Learn

Wednesday, August 20, 2025 3:00 - 4:00 PM

Indigenous Naming Traditions as a Means of Preserving Identity in Today's Global Culture

Thursday, August 21, 2025 9:00 - 9:45 AM

Nigerian indigenous names symbolise identity, culture, meaning, and sometimes the circumstances surrounding a child’s birth. In this discussion, Nigerian indigenous names such as Modésíre, Munachi, and Bello will be highlighted as meaningful names that proudly reflect one’s cultural heritage anywhere in the world, rather than conforming to name trends that lack personal or cultural relevance.

A Language Rights Approach to Nigerian English

Thursday, August 21, 2025 11:00 - 12:00 PM

Join Dr. Kingsley Ugwuanyi, a postdoctoral research fellow with research focused on minoritised languages as he takes a language rights approach to Nigerian English (Naija), using a SWOT framework to examine its current status, including institutional strengths, persistent stigmas, policy neglect, emerging advocacy efforts, and prospects for formal recognition, digital inclusion, and curricular integration.

In today's interconnected and rapidly evolving world, language has become more than just a means of communication; it is a gateway to numerous opportunities. For speakers and enthusiasts of Hausa, one of Africa's most widely spoken languages, the 21st century presents a unique moment in history. This session aims to highlight how knowledge of Hausa can be harnessed not only to preserve cultural identity but also to explore new career paths and contribute to global development.

Unlocking Doors: The Diverse Opportunities for Hausa Language Enthusiasts in the 21st Century (Samar da Hanyoyi: Mabambantan Damarmaki ga Masana Harshen Hausa a Ƙarni na 21)

Thursday, August 21, 2025 12:05 - 1:00 PM

Before and After Sabbi: Experiencing Nkọwa okwu

Thursday, August 21, 2025 2:00 - 2:50 PM

This session by Ebube Chuba, the co-founder of Nkọwa okwu facilitates this workshop on how to employ the latest product, Sabbi, which is used for collecting audio data and text data. You will also get to learn how Nkọwa okwu was formed, the community and the other products.

Demystifying Mathematics through Yorùbá: Culturally Relevant Teaching for Lasting Impact

Thursday, August 21, 2025 3:00 - 4:00 PM

In the session, Onyinye Favour, a mother tongue advocate, will explore the synergy between Language Services and Indigenous Language Content Creation, using the Igbo language as a case study. The presentation will highlight how these two domains can work together to preserve endangered languages, promote cultural identity, and create sustainable economic opportunities for language professionals.

This session is presented by teacher and mathematician Gafari Lukumon, who is passionate about using experimental approaches to tackle challenges in STEM education, with a special focus on mathematics. This session showcases the power of teaching mathematics in the Yorùbá language. It highlights the positive outcomes of using indigenous languages in education.

This session brings together four passionate advocates of the Fulfulde language and culture to explore the crucial role of media in revitalising and sustaining less-privileged languages in Nigeria. Using Fulfulde as a case study, the session invites like-minded individuals to reflect on the challenges and opportunities for language empowerment through media.

From Services to Stories: Harnessing Language Services and Indigenous Content

Friday, August 22, 2025 09:00 - 10:00 AM

Daranaaki Jaayɗe ko Pinndinol Ɗemngal – Media Engagement as a Catalyst for Language Revival

Friday, August 22, 2025 11:00 - 12:00 PM

The State of African NLP: Advancing Inclusivity and Empowering Low-Resource Languages through Data, Talent, SLM and Community-Driven AI

Friday, August 22, 2025 12:45 - 1:45 PM

This session is presented by Obioha Nmezi, a seasoned Igbo language educator and technologist with over eight years of professional experience on Verbling, where he has facilitated close to 6,000 hours of instruction in the Igbo language. Join him as he highlights the impact of tech on the Igbo language.

This session looks at the processes of LLM, SLM and pipelines for African NLP. Join Aremu Adeola as he discusses the power of building cross-sector partnerships for inclusive language technologies, prioritising ethical data governance, cultural context, and responsible AI.

This session introduces YorubaTexts.com and aims to rekindle our literary heritage by raising awareness on the urgent need for a single, Yorùbá-centered catalogue to preserve our culture, showcasing the first phase of the project, and to invite Nigerian language enthusiasts; academics, librarians, technologists, volunteers and the general Yorùbá public to contribute entries and safeguard our texts.