The Role of German Language in Nigeria’s Cultural Diplomacy: Institutional Actors, Discursive Strategies, and Policy Outcomes

This study examines the role of the German language as an instrument of cultural diplomacy in Nigeria, analysing the institutional actors, discursive strategies, and policy outcomes associated with Germany's cultural foreign policy programme in the Nigerian context. Cultural diplomacy, pursued through language promotion, educational exchange, and cultural programming, is a recognised pillar of Germany's foreign policy, and Nigeria represents one of Germany's most significant African partners. Despite this, the systematic study of German cultural diplomacy in Nigeria from an integrated institutional and discursive perspective has not been conducted. The study employs a qualitative institutional analysis design, drawing on documentary analysis of programme reports, policy statements, and strategic plans from the Goethe-Institut Nigeria, DAAD Nigeria office, and the German Embassy in Abuja, supplemented by in-depth interviews with 30 institutional actors including cultural programme managers, DAAD alumni association leaders, and Nigerian government education officials. Critical discourse analysis is applied to key policy texts to identify the legitimating discursive strategies through which German language promotion is framed. Findings reveal that German cultural diplomacy in Nigeria operates through three interlocking discourse formations: economic partnership framing, academic excellence promotion, and intercultural dialogue. The study develops an institutional model of cultural diplomacy language promotion. Keywords: cultural diplomacy, German language, Nigeria, Goethe-Institut, DAAD.