INTERROGATING MIGRATION PROBLEMS IN NIGERIA. A STUDY OF NDUBISI GEORGE’S WOES OF IKENGA

Abstract

Literature as a field of study have always been presented by literary scholars as a means to redirect, re-examine, and re-address predominant societal problems in Nigeria. This research presents migration as a primary concern in Nigeria. Migration is caused by so many factors ranging from search for identity, search for greener pasture, environmental conditions, educational opportunities, conflicts, social and political instability. Migration as a literary context can be referred to as the movement of a large number of people from one continent to the other. The problem of migration has been a long engaging aspect of African literature, as a result of this, studying the issues associated with migration in literature enhances the understanding of the experiences encountered by people found in this situation. These factors form the psyche of the migrating character. Over the years, Nigerian writers have viewed migration, its challenges and effects on the average Nigerian individual from a problematic perspective. Writers in Nigeria see the concept of migration as a muster point where they all gather to discuss migration as a predominant problem in the Nigeria. This research further re- addresses and interrogates the profound effects of migration on both origin and destination regions, influencing labor markets, cultural landscapes and workforce. The theoretical framework of this research is Realism. Realism is a theory and critical school of thought that has its main concern geared towards critically examining literary works that reflect the actual conditions of people and the society. The researcher re-addresses, and re-examines migration as predominant problem in Nigeria thereby providing a foundational overview, deep analyses of the effects of migration on the Nigerian individual. The methodology adopted in this research is a qualitative methodology. Ndubisi George’s Woes of Ikenga is the chosen work understudy.