Dear ISA Members, Scholars, Friends, and Partners,

On behalf of the Executive Committee of the Igbo Studies Association (ISA), I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all who made our 2025 Annual Conference in Chicago a truly memorable and impactful event.

To everyone who participated, whether in person or virtually, thank you for showing up, sharing your work, and helping us carry forward the vision of global Igbo scholarship. Your contributions, insights, and energy continue to move the association forward.

A very special thank you goes to our keynote speaker, Professor Pat Utomi, for delivering the keynote and accepting our invitation on such short notice. Your presence added immense value and relevance to this year’s theme: “Culture and Human Capital: Opportunities and Challenges.”

I also wish to thank:

• Professor Nkuzi Nnam, the Local Organizing Committee, and the Igbo Association of Chicago for helping make this year’s event a success.
• Dominican University and its leadership for their continued hospitality and partnership. We are especially grateful to President Glena Temple and the, who joined us in person to welcome ISA back to campus. Your words of welcome reminded us that Dominican is not just a venue, it is a community that shares in our values of equity, scholarship, belonging, and truth-seeking.

One of the defining highlights of this year’s conference was the Art Exhibition 2025, a powerful and inspiring showcase that underscored the centrality of artistic expression in Igbo life and identity. This initiative was made possible through our growing collaboration with Dominican University and the vision of our artistic scholars.

I would like to thank Professor Francis Ikwuebgu, Dr. Kanayo Odeluga, Professor Nkuzi Nnam, and everyone who contributed to curating and organizing this important cultural offering. The exhibition was not only visually stunning but intellectually and spiritually enriching. We look forward to building on this momentum through new interdisciplinary and cultural projects in the years to come.

My sincere thanks go to Rev. Dr. Chijioke Azuawusiefe, our 2025 Program Director and Conference Chair, whose hard work and dedication shaped every element of this event. To the Conference Organizing Committee and the ISA Executive Committee, thank you for your leadership, commitment, and collaborative spirit.

As part of this year’s conference, we also held elections for the ISA Executive. I am pleased to share that most of the members of the Executive Committee have been re-elected for another term. On behalf of the entire team, I want to sincerely thank you for your trust, support, and continued confidence in our leadership. We do not take this responsibility lightly. Your vote of confidence strengthens our resolve to continue serving you with integrity, transparency, and purpose.

As shared in the President’s State of the Association Report, ISA continues to thrive and grow, technologically, intellectually, and institutionally. From a rebuilt website, a custom-built journal and abstract system, and a digitized repository of past publications, to bold initiatives like the upcoming ISA Publication Committee, we are building the tools and platforms that will sustain Igbo scholarship for generations to come.

We remain grounded in the challenges we face, visa barriers, limited resources, and the need for greater visibility in the diaspora, but we also remain optimistic. Our collective effort is bearing fruit, and the journey ahead is rich with promise.

As we close this chapter, I want to extend my warmest wishes to all participants for safe travels back to your various destinations. May the spirit of learning, community, and cultural pride that we shared here in Chicago continue to inspire your work and journeys ahead.

Thank you all once again for being part of this movement, this mission, this community.

Ndewo nu!

Dr. Chidi Igwe
President, Igbo Studies Association (ISA)