X-RAYING THE REPRESENTATION OF MIGRATION IN SELECTED NIGERIAN FILMS AND PLAYS

Abstract

Migration as an age-old phenomenon has continued to attract studies. This article contends that representation of migration in the genres of drama and film from an Afro-centric perspective still has a lot of unexamined dimensions. The research explores how playwrights and directors, through plays and films, represent migration and the implications: it re-frames migration beyond Western narratives, brings to the fore, the hosts/destination entities’ narratives beyond the traditional single story. The qualitative research method is adopted for its appropriateness to provide in-depth insights, helping to pry into the complex ways migration is depicted, with impacts on public perception, policymaking and so on. The study’s case studies are Ahmed Yerima’s Dami’s Cross, Oladipo Agboluaje’s Early Morning, Ola Rotimi’s The Gods Are Not To Blame, Biyi Bandele’s Elesin Oba: the King’s Horseman, Akin Omotosho’s Rise, and Ishaya Bako’s The Royal Hibiscus Hotel. The findings provide: an understanding of how migration is depicted; reveal migration as a complex, multi-dimensional theme phenomenon, shaped by socio-economic factors and cultural tensions. The media wield power to shape public perception and influence policy if it highlights the human aspects of migration, encourages empathy, and urges policymakers to act. While both films and plays offer compelling portrayals, they each bring unique strengths to the narrative, contributing to a deeper discourse on migration. On styles, the findings reveal the narrative techniques used, socio-economic factors driving migration, the impact of these representations on public perception, migration policy, and so on. The key significance lies in its multidisciplinary approach, combining migration studies with media analysis to offer an understanding of migration as depicted in films and plays. The article contributes new insights into how media narratives shape and reflect socio-economic realities, enriching the field of migration studies with a cultural and artistic perspective, with a particular focus on African narratives.