A Semiotic Analysis of Mimes on Irregular Migration in Nigeria’s Newspapers

Abstract

Irregular emigration by young Nigerians is a recurrent decimal in the country’s national life. Past researches have looked
at how the media frames irregular migration in Nigeria but have seldom included semiotic analysis of mimes. To bridge
this gap, this paper scrutinizes semiotic representations of images of irregular migrants in Nigeria. To interrogate this, a
method of semiotic analysis was applied. Chains, padlocks, the general condition of despair and other symbols associated
with slavery are present in the images analysed. The study testifies to the tendency to link irregular migration to slavery.
Photographs are too easily seen as authentic and factual transcripts of reality. This paper suggests that these images tell
us more about societal fear of insecurity, ideas about gender, erotic obsessions and morality than about irregular
migration itself. It also argues that the meaning of irregular migration is shaped by the deeply embedded codes of
patriarchy and hidden misogyny present in Nigerian society. The study on semiotic analysis of photographs from four
editorials in The Punch, The Vanguard, The Leadership and The Blueprint newspapers on irregular migration in Nigeria
show elements of slavery, desperation, cyber crimes, erotic obsession, among other vices in Nigeria youths who indulge in
the act.