Rethinking migration narratives in Nollywood narrative fiction films

Abstract

The narratives of migration contained in many Nollywood migration themed narrative fiction films tend to romanticize the idea of irregular migration and which potentially has a corresponding effect on the psychology of the viewing public. Using the case study approach of the qualitative research method, the researchers critically examined the representations of migration in two Nollywood narrative fiction  movies: Ozoemena Ozubulu (2017) and The Billionaires (2018). Building on the Cultivation Theory of the Media by Goerge Gerbner, Larry Gross, Michael Morgan and Nanoy Signorielli, and the Agenda Setting Theory of McCombs and Shaw, the researcher argued that using Nollywood narrative fiction films to set the right public agenda on migration will help in cultivating the right notions of migration among its audience and which can have a significant effect in the reduction of irregular migration activities in Nigeria. The researcher  recommended workshops between Nollywood stakeholders and government agencies like the National Agency for Prohibition of  Trafficking in Persons and Other Related Offences (NAPTIP), the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) and the Ministry of External Affairs  with the view to creating the right public agenda for Migration in Nigeria.