Pseudo-patriotic Undertone of Unity Discourse in Nigeria’s Print Media

The realisation of genuine national unity within its ethnically diverse society has always been the primary challenge facing Nigeria since Independence in 1960. This study investigated discursive recontextualisation through newspaper congratulatory announcements (NCAs) Nigeria’s society, focusing on pseudopatriotic undertones privately sponsored NCAs. Critical discourse analysis (CDA) and agenda-setting theory informed theoretical underpinning study. data is drawn from four major dailies, covering period between 2011 2016. Multimodal critical (MCDA) visual grammar (VG) are used as analytical methods to examine 97 Dominant themes NCAs highlighted along with type projected revealed that, name promoting unity, private individuals global conglomerates utilize pseudo acts boost profits, enhance customer index, construct their corporate image eyes ruling regimes general public host communities. It was also found that envisioned future country a united reality appears contradict common perception lived experiences people. meant highlight way certain ideologies promoted further interests realised print media pseudo-patriotism. Further research may investigate comparable representations likely other genres well additional semiotic resources such Civil War artefacts monuments, statues, symbols. Keywords Pseudo-patriotism; announcements; unity; multimodal analysis;