The University of Benin's Department of Foreign Languages brought together academics, researchers, and language scholars from Nigeria and abroad for the 6th Biennial International Conference on Franco Nigerian Literature, Language and Culture, held from Sunday, 17th May to Wednesday, 20th May 2026 at the institution's Ugbowo Campus in Benin City.

The conference, which opened formally on Monday, 18th May 2026 at 10:00 a.m., was held under the chairmanship of Prof. Edoba Bright Omoregie, SAN, Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin. The keynote address was delivered by Professor Ramonu Sanusi, Professor of French Studies, African and Caribbean Literatures and Cultures.

A standout presentation came from Dr. Nicholas Faraclas of the University of Puerto Rico, in collaboration with Prof. Desmond Odugu of Lake Forest College. Their paper, titled "The Spread of French in Nigeria versus the Spread of Naija: Decolonizing How We Think About Language Spread in Particular and About 'Language Development' in General," challenged colonial assumptions in applied linguistics and examined Nigerian Pidgin as a case for decolonial language scholarship.

The Global Association for Research and Innovation (GARI), through its Founder and President, Dr. Jimoh Braimoh, served as a financial sponsor of the conference, contributing USD $1,000 as general sponsorship alongside N100,000 each for the Best Paper Award and the Emerging Scholar Award, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding with the department.

Dr. Martha Nguwasen Chia of the Department of Foreign Languages, University of Uyo, received the N100,000 Best Paper Presenter Award, presented by Emeritus Professor R. O. Elaho, JP. The N100,000 Emerging Scholar Award went to Ruth D. Adeoye of the Department of French Studies, Tai Solarin Federal University of Education, and was presented by Professor Ramonu Sanusi.

Members of the 1986 Alumni Set, represented by Reverend Dr. Mrs. Gina Obadan and Ogboru Justina, donated a projector and a 72 inch projection screen to the department and pledged to return in July for a 40th anniversary reunion.

The conference convener was Prof. Ngozi O. Iloh, with Dr. Osarenmwinda Emokpae Ogbebor serving as Head of Department and Dr. Adenike P. Odiboh as conference secretary.