By Abdussamad Yahya Sufi
The Abdullahi Smith Lecture Theatre at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, buzzed with intellectual vigor on Thursday, September 4, 2025, as Professor Abdullahi Ahmad of the Department of English and Literary Studies formally propounded a new linguistic theory he calls GBOBEISM: The Wave Theory of Speech Acts (GBOWATSA). The historic presentation attended by scholars, students, and administrators across faculties, was described as a milestone in the revival of public intellectual discourse at ABU.
A Return to Intellectual Traditions
The event opened with prayers and the national anthem, followed by remarks from the chairman of the occasion, Oracle Professor Tanimu Abubakar, and a welcome address by the Dean, Faculty of Arts, Professor Sule Muhammad. The Dean recalled how former Vice Chancellor Professor Kabiru Bala once lamented the decline of faculty’s culture of seminars and public lectures. He commended Professor Ahmad for reviving that tradition and emphasized that even in times of political and economic hardship, scholars have a duty to create knowledge for the benefit of society.
Harking back to history, the Dean reminded the audience that during the Sokoto Jihad, Malam Abdullahi Gwandu and Shehu Usman Danfodio continued to write and advance scholarship despite the turbulence of the war. “The responsibilities of academics go beyond the classroom,” he said. “This Wave Theory of Speech Acts is just the beginning. We must continue to bring forward such ideas for the progress of society.”
The Man Behind the Theory
Professor Ahmad was then invited for his citation, which traced his life from his birthplace in Idah, Kogi State, through his early education at Native Authority Primary School and Government Secondary School Okenya, to his higher studies at Ahmadu Bello University, where he earned his BA (Ed.), MA, and PhD in English.
From his first teaching post at a community school in Bassa Local Government in 1990 to his blessed rise to Professor of Applied Linguistics in 2020, Prof. Ahmad’s career depicts dedication to discourse analysis, pragmatics, and sociolinguistics. He has authored over sixty papers, served in various academic and administrative roles, and belongs to several professional bodies including the Linguistic Association of Nigeria (LAN), English Scholars Association of Nigeria (ESAN), and the African Pragmatics Association (AfPrA).
What GBOBEISM Means
Given the floor, Professor Ahmad explained the inspiration behind GBOBEISM. The name, drawn from his hometown Gbobe in Kogi State, follows the academic tradition of theories like Darwinism or Marxism.
At its core, the Wave Theory of Speech Acts argues that words are not mere utterances but forces like waves that influence perceptions and affect behavior. Building on J. L. Austin’s classic speech act theory, GBOBEISM emphasizes the perlocutionary effects as pronouncements cause consequences both immediate and future.
“We must recognize that words have power,” Professor Ahmad said. “They can bless, they can destroy, they can define how we see ourselves, and they can determine how society reacts to us.”
He outlined the theory’s goals:
1. To explain how pronouncements spread and influence audiences beyond their initial setting.
2. To examine ripple effects of speech, especially by political, religious, and cultural leaders.
3. To highlight the interplay between power, speech, and naturalization in communication.
4. To remind society that careless words can have unintended, far-reaching effects.
A Heated Criticism
The lecture quickly turned into a lively exchange during the Question-and-Answer session. Some participants challenged whether GBOBEISM qualifies as a full theory or should first be considered a model. Others agreed on its potential applications in analyzing Nigerian political discourse. The propounder’s postgraduate students, other academics and undergraduates, participated in constructive critiques.
The Abdullahi Smith’s Theatre pulsed with intellectual fervour, with the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Professor Bello Sabo, later describing the discussion as “a healthy sign that the culture of academic interrogation is alive at ABU.” Representing the Vice Chancellor, he promised that the University would begin documenting such intellectual innovations across faculties for future reference.
Voices from the Audience
Education Monitor sought participants’ views after the lecture.
Dr. Muhammad Awwal of the Department of English and Literary Studies said the theory represents a bold African contribution to global knowledge:
“The world is moving fast; we must be creative. It’s not only for the West to theorize. Africans have a lot to contribute. Every theory begins in rough form before refinement. That is how scholarship grows.”
Muhammad Imam Yusuf, also of English and Literary Studies, found the presentation stimulating:
“It’s more like a model right now, but if it’s expanded and refined, GBOBEISM can stand as a robust theory in its own right.”
For Dr. James Andokari Zaku, Dean School of Undergraduate Studies, Federal University of Education, Zaria:
“Professor Ahmad has shown that GBOBEISM is not just an attempt, it is a reality system. With more attention, it can redefine how we study speech and power.”
Looking Ahead
In his final remarks, Professor Ahmad thanked colleagues, students, and dignitaries for their contributions. Responding to critics, he emphasized that GBOBEISM is indeed a theory, not a model, and assured to refine it further ahead of his inaugural lecture.
“My central objective,” he said, “is to bring something new to the study of linguistics that colleagues and students can use in their analyses. I welcome the criticisms, they are part of the process. What matters is that we keep moving scholarship forward.”