The concept of discourse may be hard to define in simple terms but we can think of it as encompassing more than just the communication and exchange of ideas, opinions, and information, to including the use of language in written, spoken, and symbolic forms to convey meaning and engage in conversation. Discourse could manifest in different formats, such as debates, discussions, conversations, or even written texts like articles, Facebook posts, WhatsApp chats, or Twitter trends. As such, we could say that discourse employs language and information to assign meaning, contributing to the creation and consolidation of knowledge as this conclusion is crucial to understanding how discourse can and has been exploited as a weapon.
Discourse weaponization thus refers to the deliberate and strategic use of language, information, art, and sound, you name it, as communication tactics to ‘force’, manipulate, cause harm, or influence the behavior of others. It entails harnessing the power of specific forms of discourse to manipulate, discredit, marginalize, or vilify certain individuals or groups， as well as to legitimize or delegitimize particular actions or practices while disseminating disinformation, propaganda, or ‘extremist’ ideologies. By manipulating language, narratives, and rhetoric, discourse weaponization aims to achieve specific objectives, including influencing public opinion, shaping specific discourses, which could be religious or political, incitement of violence, or the creation and reinforcement of societal divisions. This tactic sometimes exploits existing biases, fears, or prejudices to amplify its goal
In recent years, Nigeria has been witnessing a disconcerting trend that could be tagged as “discourse weaponization.” This phenomenon refers to the deliberate use of somewhat well-calculated discourse in a way that exploits political, cultural, and sociological vulnerabilities to manipulate public opinion and “force” a certain behavior to achieve certain goals. That is a deliberate manipulation of public discourse and the use of strategic and mostly inflammatory language to exacerbate existing fault lines in society for personal, religious, or political gain. The consequences of this dangerous practice have far-reaching implications for social and political stability in any country. Not to mention a country as diverse as Nigeria with over 250 ethnic groups, and a long history of ethnic, religious, and regional tensions.
To make matters worse, the rise of social media and the proliferation of online platforms have provided new avenues through which discourse weaponization can not only take place but also help target specific regions or people. This is quite easy to achieve as the media serves as a powerful tool for communication and connection and perhaps the only source of information for many young Nigerians. And as such, plays a significant role in shaping public narratives and opinions, these days. The internet and social media, in particular, have been weaponized due to the rapid dissemination of information and the lack of a robust verification process for shared content. Take for instance, the encrypted messaging services on applications like WhatsApp, for example, present challenges in tracing fake or malicious messengers/messages and in curbing the spread of false information. As such, false information, hate speech, and divisive rhetoric are being disseminated more rapidly than ever before, which are further fueling existing socio-political fault lines.
One of the prime motivations behind discourse weaponization, according to the research conducted at our center (CECADS), is political gain. Most respondents seem to think that politicians and their supporters exploit the country’s diversity to stoke fears, manipulate emotions, and consolidate their voter base. They use language that dehumanizes and legitimizes opponents and targets specific groups, thereby deepening the fault lines and escalating tensions. Sadly, this approach has become a common strategy in electoral campaigns and political rallies, where inflammatory statements are made to incite supporters and sow division. And even more disturbing is that it is almost becoming the norm.
Religion is yet another highly sensitive issue that has been exploited. According to the recent Pew Research Center, Nigeria was rated as the second most prayerful country on earth. This points to the significance of religion to the people. As such, religion has been and continues to be used as a lethal weapon in dividing the people. Currently, the country is divided along religious lines, with the population almost evenly split across the two main religions in the country. Although politics and some politicians are guilty but so are some religious leaders and even their followers who often use inflammatory language to advance their agendas or to promote their faith/beliefs at the expense of others. This has not only damaged interfaith relations but has also led to violence and communal clashes in some major parts of the country.
Furthermore, the raw manifestation of discourse weaponization can be seen in our everyday conversations and interactions. In both physical and online spaces, political or non-political discussions, Nigerians have somehow subjected themselves to all sorts of derogatory language, insults, and hate speech, which has further eroded societal harmony and peaceful coexistence. Friends, neighbors and even family members find themselves at odds over issues that have been unnecessarily politicized or sensationalized. This not only threatens the very basic foundation of a community but also our collective existence and our international reputation or national image and leaves the door wide open for some foreign actors to manipulate the destabilized country and the region or continent at large.
Therefore we must address this very disturbing trend. To do so, it is crucial for both the government and the public to take swift action. As Scwarz-Friesal once wrote
Words are powerful: they can be used to offend, hurt, and threaten people. Some words are like weapons, they wound like bullets, some are like poison, they slowly affect the mind and activate a lethal semantics.
A comprehensive framework must be put in place to curb hate speech and address the use of inflammatory language in public spaces, including online platforms. This must be done in a way that upholds free speech while ensuring that the line between expression and incitement is clearly defined for both politicians and the masses.
In addition, media literacy and awareness programs should be implemented to educate the public about the dangers, locally and internationally, of discourse weaponization. Citizens should be encouraged to critically evaluate the information they consume and to engage in constructive discussions that foster understanding and unity. The responsibility, however, lies not only with the government but with each individual. We must resist the temptation to weaponize any discourse, engage in divisive rhetoric, and actively promote peace and unity. By being mindful of the impact of our words and actions, we can contribute to a more inclusive and harmonious Nigeria. A failure to address this issue could have dire consequences for Nigeria’s future as a united and thriving nation and our national image.
