Metaphorical Representation of Ideologies in Media Reportage on Japa Discourses Dorcas Omaojo Idakwo 1 dorcasogwo606@gmail.com Ezekiel Olajimbiti Opeyemi 2 opebukola56@gmail.com And Peter Ochefu Okpeh 3 peter.okpeh@fulokoja.edu.ng Department of English and Literary Studies, Federal University Lokoja, Nigeria. Abstract Migration remains a global issue frequently framed metaphorically in media discourses, shaping public perception in ways that can evoke hostility and fear and ultimately influence attitudes and immigration policies. In the Nigerian context, the increasing desire among able citizens to relocate abroad has been metaphorically captured as Japa or the Japa syndrome. The Japa colloquium gained such widespread recognition and academic significance that it has now been officially incorporated into the Oxford English Dictionary. This inclusion not only legitimises its usage in formal and scholarly contexts but also highlights the extent to which Nigerian socio-cultural realities shape global conversations on migration, opportunity, and identity. Therefore, this paper examined the ideological contents of the metaphorical expression in Nigerian media reports on migration and critically identified the dominant metaphors used in Nigerian newspaper reports on migration as well as their ideological stances. A total of one hundred and twenty (120) newspaper online reportages, which were evenly distributed across six widely read Nigerian newspapers (Punch, Vanguard, Leadership, Daily Trust, The Cable, and Guardian), were obtained quarterly between 2020 to 2024. The metaphorical expressions from the obtained linguistic expression were manually identified using Pragglejaz Group’s Metaphor Identification Procedure, and the punch dominates with 19% of the total metaphors. The mapping of the source and target domains using the Charteris- Black Conceptual Metaphor Theory revealed that migration discourses revolve around the domains of DISEASE, JOURNEY, WAR, CONTAINER, and OCEAN using metaphors like Disease, Perilous journey, Survival, Pipeline, and Tsunami, respectively, with a strong predominance of the first. This study reveals that 75% of Nigerian migration media discourse is anti-migration, largely driven by South- West-based outlets like The Cable and Punch. These narratives discourage emigration despite opportunities abroad, prioritising national retention over individual mobility. To counter negative framings, media practitioners should adopt balanced, context-sensitive reporting, while migration advocates must promote humane narratives that acknowledge migration’s complex realities. Keywords: Conceptual Metaphor Theory, Ideology, Media Discourse, Metaphorical Framing, Migration Discourse. https://www.gombesavannahjournal.com 40