By Philip Yatai

Former United Nations Under-Secretary-General, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, will deliver keynote address at the inauguration of Annual Diplomacy Day on Nov. 20 at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja.

Gambari, former Minister of External Affairs and Nigeria’s former Permanent Representative to the UN, would speak on “Narrative Power and the Diplomacy of Influence: Nigeria, Africa and the Contest for Global Influence.”

The event, convened by Media Diplomacy Studies (MDS), an independent research and policy think tank, has “Diplomacy in a Changing World: Building Trust, Partnerships and Influence for Nigeria and Africa” as its theme.

The Founder and Chief Executive of MDS, Dr Mkpe Abang, who disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday, said the distinguished diplomat and scholar would examine Nigeria, Africa and the global contest for influence at the inaugural gathering.

Abang added that the address would interrogate the changing dynamics of international diplomacy, the strategic importance of national and continental narratives and Africa’s capacity to shape perceptions and influence outcomes in an increasingly competitive global order.

He said “Gambari’s keynote address is expected to provide a critical perspective on the relationship between narrative power and diplomatic influence.

“This comes particularly at a time when Africa faces the simultaneous challenges of strengthening its international voice, consolidating regional cooperation and navigating competing geopolitical interests.”

He explained that the choice of Gambari, one of Africa’s most accomplished diplomatic scholars and practitioners as inaugural keynote speaker reflects the intellectual ambition and international orientation of the initiative.

He noted that Gambari’s career encompasses significant contributions to international peace and security, African affairs, conflict resolution and the development of multilateral diplomacy.

Abang explained that the inaugural gathering was designed as a sustained intellectual and policy-engagement platform to examine the changing dynamics of international diplomacy, strategic communication and Africa’s role in the global order.

He said “the inauguration comes at a consequential period in global affairs, characterised by intensifying geopolitical competition, shifting alliances, rapid technological transformation and an increasingly contested international information environment.

“In this emerging landscape, diplomatic influence is no longer determined exclusively by traditional instruments of statecraft, economic capacity or military strength.

“The ability of states and institutions to establish credibility, communicate compelling narratives, cultivate trust and shape international understanding has become an increasingly important dimension of national and regional power.”

He added that the platform was established to move diplomatic discourse beyond ceremonial engagements towards practical policy relevance and intellectual interrogation.

“Diplomacy is no longer conducted exclusively across negotiating tables or within formal corridors of international institutions; it is increasingly contested in the arena of ideas, information, perception and public credibility.

“Nations are not judged solely by what they possess or accomplish, but also by how their identities, interests and aspirations are communicated, interpreted and understood,” Abang said.

He stressed that the challenge for Nigeria and Africa was not merely to participate in international diplomacy, but to build the capacity to shape conversations, influence narratives and contribute decisively to outcomes.

“For Nigeria and Africa, these developments raise fundamental questions about representation, strategic autonomy, international perception and the continent’s capacity to participate meaningfully in shaping the narratives through which its interests, challenges and aspirations are understood.

“The challenge is, therefore, not simply to participate in international diplomacy, but to strengthen our capacity to shape its conversations, influence its narratives and contribute more decisively to its outcomes,” he said.

Abang added that the Diplomacy Day aims to institutionalise continuing dialogue among diplomatic practitioners, policymakers, media professionals, scholars and business leaders to strengthen national and continental representation.

He added that the event would also feature the National Strategic Dialogue on Diplomacy, State Media Diplomacy and Global Influence, bringing together senior public officials, diplomats and communication professionals.

The chief executive said that a major highlight of the gathering would be the presentation of a book he authored, enitled “Weapons of Mass Manipulations: State Media, Global Influence and the New Diplomacy of Power.”

He explained that the book, derived from doctoral research in International Relations and Diplomacy, explores state media as a diplomatic tool and the implications of information power on global influence.

He disclosed that the former Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Joe Keshi, who serves as President of the Association of Retired Career Ambassadors of Nigeria would chair the occasion.

He added that Amb. Abdullahi Shehu, former Nigerian Ambassador to the Russian Federation, would review the book.

“MDS expressed optimism that the Annual Diplomacy Day will evolve into a recurring reference point for policy reflection and diplomatic engagement across the continent,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu