Paper short abstract:

Discourse on migration has mostly centered on an Africa-Europe perspective, suggesting power relations. This study shows via a critical discourse analysis of selected films the effects of Europe-Africa migration and reveals pragmatic acts deployed to convey ideologies and power relations.

Paper long abstract:

Discourse on migration has mostly centered on an Africa-Europe perspective, thus unwittingly suggesting power relations that make the latter appear more powerful and always sought-after by Africans. This study attempts to show, via a critical discourse analysis, the effects of Europe-Africa migration, hence showing the need to tell the story of what also makes Africa powerful. Using purposively selected films – Isoken and The Wedding Party (representations of Nigerian realities) – data extracted show that Europeans also migrate to Africa for work and schooling purposes, and in the process, they also find love that leads to wedlock. These do not happen without the ideological underpinnings of the more supposedly powerful participants being combated and won. Pragmatic acts that are deployed to convey representations of ideologies and power relations are unearthed.