The AHABA Journal of Creative Arts (AHABA-JOCA) is a semi-annual, double-blind peer-reviewed academic journal published by the Department of Creative Arts, Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria. The journal serves as a rigorous, inclusive, and responsive platform for scholarship and creative practice across the humanities and social sciences — with a special commitment to the creative arts, their histories, theories, and contemporary transformations.
AHABA-JOCA is open to authors from Nigeria, Africa, and the wider global community, and welcomes contributions from both established scholars and emerging researchers. The journal adopts the APA and MLA citation styles and upholds the highest standards of scholarly integrity and editorial practice.
Journal at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Department of Creative Arts, Dennis Osadebay University |
| Abbreviation | AJCA |
| Frequency | Semi-annual (Volumes in June and December) |
| Language | English |
| Review Model | Double-blind Peer Review |
| Access | Open Access |
| Submission Charge | ₦5,000 |
| Article Processing Fee | ₦25,000 (accepted articles) |
Mission and Vision
At AHABA-JOCA, we are guided by a clear sense of purpose and a bold vision for the future of creative arts scholarship.
Our Mission
To advance knowledge and creative expression in the creative arts and related disciplines through rigorous, double-blind peer review, ethical publishing, and open access — providing a credible, inclusive platform where established scholars and emerging researchers alike can share original research and creative practice that enriches scholarship in Nigeria, Africa, and the diaspora.
Our Vision
To be a leading international journal of creative arts scholarship — recognised for excellence, integrity, and innovation — one that connects scholarly research with artistic practice, celebrates African and diaspora creativity, and contributes to the growth of a vibrant creative economy.
Core Values
Everything we publish is underpinned by five guiding values:
- Rigour — strict, transparent double-blind peer review at every stage.
- Integrity — original research, plagiarism-free submissions, and ethical clearance.
- Inclusivity — open to all authors regardless of geography, background, or career stage.
- Open Access — scholarship that is freely and immediately available to readers worldwide.
- Innovation — bridging tradition and contemporary digital practice in the creative arts.
Scope and Fields of Publication
AHABA-JOCA publishes original research articles, review articles, and scholarly contributions in the following fields:
- Performing Arts
- Music and Sound
- Arts Theory and Criticism
- Crafts and Applied Arts
- Culture and Society
- Fine Arts
- Media Studies
- English and Literary Studies
- Creative Economies
- Film and Digital Media
- Art History and Heritage
- Other Related Areas
Peer Review Process
AHABA-JOCA is dedicated to producing high-quality publications with both local and global relevance. Every eligible submission follows a transparent, double-blind review workflow:
- Desk assessment — an editor checks the manuscript for scope fit, quality, and compliance with guidelines.
- Double-blind review — each paper is evaluated by at least two independent experts recommended by the editorial board. Additional reviews may be sought when necessary.
- Editorial decision — the Editors-in-Chief make final publication decisions based on the referees’ reports.
- Revision and outcome — authors are promptly informed of acceptance or rejection and guided through any required revisions.
All manuscripts are treated as strictly confidential. Reviewers are expected to maintain confidentiality and disclose any conflicts of interest. Simultaneous submissions to multiple journals are prohibited, and manuscripts outside the journal’s scope will be rejected.
Policies and Integrity
Editorial Independence. All publication decisions are made on scholarly merit alone, guided by the reports of independent reviewers and the journal’s publication-ethics policies. The Editors-in-Chief make final decisions based on referees’ reports.
Plagiarism Policy. Plagiarism — presenting someone else’s work or ideas as your own — is a serious academic offence. All submissions are screened with plagiarism-detection software, and any paper flagged with more than 15% plagiarised content will be rejected. Authors are responsible for ensuring their work is original.
Research Ethics. Research involving human participants must have ethical clearance from an appropriate committee, and informed consent must be documented in line with the legal requirements of the study’s country.
Publication Frequency and Access
AHABA-JOCA is published semi-annually. Papers are accepted all year round, and accepted papers are published online once the peer-review process is completed. The volumes are released in June and December. All content is published under an open-access model and is immediately available to readers worldwide.
Submission Guidelines
Before submitting, please note the following requirements:
- Articles should not exceed 5,000 words.
- Include an abstract of 200–250 words and 5 keywords.
- On the first page, provide all authors’ names, ORCID iDs, email addresses, and institutional affiliations.
- Follow the APA or MLA citation and referencing style throughout.
- Submissions must be original and must not be under consideration by any other journal.
How to submit: Email your manuscript to ahabajoca@gmail.com and copy creativearts@dou.edu.ng. Full instructions are available on the Author Guidelines page.
Fees and Charges
| Charge | Amount | When |
|---|---|---|
| Submission charge | ₦5,000 (Five Thousand Naira) | At submission |
| Article processing fee | ₦25,000 | On acceptance |
Authors are advised to confirm current charges with the editorial office before submission.