Pragma-Syntactic Analysis of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's 2025 Budget Presentation: A Study in Political Discourse

Abstract

This paper provides a pragma-syntactic analysis of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2025 budget presentation to the Nigerian National Assembly, emphasizing the intersection of syntax and pragmatics in political discourse. Delivered under the theme "The Budget of Restoration: Securing Peace, Rebuilding Prosperity," the speech articulates the administration’s fiscal policies while addressing Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges. This study aims to uncover how the speech's linguistic and pragmatic elements are strategically crafted to persuade, inform, and inspire. Using Speech Act Theory and Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) as theoretical frameworks, the study examines the use of declarative sentences, rhetorical devices, and inclusive language to enhance the speech’s communicative impact. The analysis reveals how syntax underscores authority and clarity, while pragmatic strategies, such as repetition and appeals to shared values, foster national unity and stakeholder confidence. Themes of restoration, resilience, and hope are woven into the speech to address pressing issues like security, economic recovery, and human capital development. The findings show that Tinubu’s speech is a well-constructed rhetorical instrument, effectively balancing optimism with realism. It demonstrates how political leaders use language to build trust, mobilize support, and advance policy agendas. By focusing on pragma-syntactic elements, this study contributes to the broader understanding of political communication and the critical role of language in governance.