UNGA 2023: The Rhetoric and Diplomatic Effect of Tinubu’s Speech

UNGA 2023: The Rhetoric and Diplomatic Effect of Tinubu’s Speech
By Ishola Ayodele

This article was first published on Spokesperson’ digest. Can be view via this link

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s speech at the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly on September 18, 2023, marked a significant moment not only for Nigeria but also for the entire African continent. In this article, I will try to analyze President Tinubu’s speech from a strategic communication standpoint, dissecting the nuances of his messaging and its impact.

Strategic communication is a multifaceted discipline that combines elements of public relations, marketing, and messaging to convey information, influence perceptions, and achieve specific goals. In essence, it’s about using communication strategically to shape public opinion, build trust, and drive action.

Without further ado, let us delve into the analysis of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s speech at the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly through the lens of strategic communication.

Effective Use of Rhetoric and Diplomacy
President Tinubu’s speech was a masterful display of rhetoric and diplomacy. He began by congratulating the President of the General Assembly and acknowledging the efforts of his predecessor and the UN Secretary-General. This diplomatic gesture set a tone of respect and cooperation.

Tinubu’s speech can be linked to the Speech Act Theory. Speech Act Theory is a linguistic and philosophical framework that explores how words and expressions are used not only to convey information but also to influence behaviors, beliefs, and relationships.
Let us delves into some of the president’s statements to understand it better.

a) “We desire a prosperous, vibrant democratic living space for our people.”
This statement conveys President Tinubu’s intention or desire for a specific outcome, which is the creation of a prosperous and democratic living space for the people of Africa. It reflects his vision and the goals he seeks to achieve through his communication.

b) “To the rest of the world, I say walk with us as true friends and partners. Africa is not a problem to be avoided nor is it to be pitied. Africa is nothing less than the key to the world’s future.”
This statement serves as an illocutionary act by President Tinubu, urging other nations to collaborate and partner with Africa as equals. It conveys his message of Africa’s significance and potential on the global stage, encouraging a specific response from the international community.

c) “When I close, let me emphasize that Nigeria’s objectives accord with the guiding principles of this world body: peace, security, human rights, and development.”
In this sentence, the locutionary act includes the specific words and phrases (such as “Nigeria’s objectives,” “accord,” “guiding principles,” “peace,” “security,” “human rights,” and “development”) used to express the alignment of Nigeria’s objectives with the guiding principles of the United Nations.

d) “As I lament deaths at home, I also lament the grave loss of life in Morocco and Libya. The Nigerian people are with you.”

The perlocutionary act here is the emotional response that the statement is intended to evoke in the audience, particularly in those from Morocco and Libya who have suffered loss. President Tinubu aims to generate a sense of shared sorrow and solidarity among the listeners. The desired effect is to create empathy and a sense of togetherness, thereby fostering a collective emotional response to the issue of loss of life in those regions.

All these statements showcase how President Tinubu’s speech is not just about conveying information but also about performing acts of persuasion, vision-setting, and diplomatic engagement, aligning with the principles of Speech Act Theory.

Highlighting Africa’s and Global Challenges
President Tinubu artfully brought attention to the specific challenges faced by Africa. He emphasized that while the theme of the year focused on global issues, it needed to hold special significance for Africa due to its unique historical and contemporary challenges. Tinubu’s speech aligns with the Agenda-Setting Theory, which posits that media and communication can influence which issues are considered important by the public and policymakers.
Here are statements from the speech that illustrate this alignment:

i. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
President Tinubu mentions, “We seek enhanced international cooperation with African nations to achieve the 2030 agenda and Sustainable Development Goals.” This statement highlights the significance of the SDGs and positions them as a key agenda-setting priority for Africa and the international community.

ii. Economic Development and Investment:
The President emphasizes the importance of global institutions and other nations prioritizing African development. He mentions, “The question is not whether Nigeria is open for business. The question is how much of the world is truly open to doing business with Nigeria and Africa.” This statement underscores economic development and investment as agenda-setting issues, calling for mutually beneficial partnerships.

iii. Democracy and Political Stability:
President Tinubu condemns military coups and emphasizes the need for democratic governance. He states, “Military coups are wrong, as is any tilted civilian political arrangement that perpetuates injustice.” This highlights democracy and political stability as agenda-setting priorities for Africa.

iv. Security and Counterterrorism:
The President addresses the battle against violent extremists in the region and the need for international cooperation to address security challenges. This positions security and counterterrorism as agenda-setting issues that require global attention.

v. Climate Change:
President Tinubu acknowledges the impact of climate change on Nigeria and Africa, emphasizing the need for climate-related initiatives. He mentions projects such as a Green Wall and efforts to combat climate change. This highlights climate change as an agenda-setting priority.

These statements from President Tinubu’s speech demonstrate his efforts to influence the international agenda by highlighting key issues such as sustainable development, economic development, democracy, security, and climate change, aligning with the principles of the Agenda-Setting Theory.

To be Continued in the the Next edition

*Ishola Ayodele is a specialist in ‘Message Engeering.’ He helps brands, Leaders and Organizations communicate in a way that yields the desired outcome.