Like if host address is 100.0.0.1 and next hop address is 100.0.0.2 and destination ip address is also 100.0.0.2

Is this a valid use case? Any real life usage?

          <dest ip>                 <next hop>  
ip route 100.0.0.2 255.255.255.255 100.0.0.2 weight 1 next-hop-vrf GlobalRouter

Above is the command on a router inside a VRF. 100.0.0.2 is pingable from host. 100.0.0.1 & 100.0.0.2 are an ip address assigned to a VLAN on host & destination respectively.

On a linux box, Such configuration is valid.

[root]# netstat -r -n

Kernel IP routing table
Destination     Gateway         Genmask         Flags   MSS Window  irtt Iface
55.55.55.55     55.55.55.55     255.255.255.255 UGH       0 0          0 eth0

[root]# ip route show

55.55.55.55 via 55.55.55.55 dev eth0

As per my understanding, If a destination IP is reachable (i.e in the same subnet of host IP) we dont need a next hop.

I came across one application for using next hop for destination IP in same subnet (i.e for VPN) See this: Will packets send to the same subnet go through routers?

If next hop != destination IP but they are in same subnet as that of host, is a valid scenario for VPN, then i am wondering what are the applications of next_hop==dest_ip & subnet same as host?

This is my first post in Super User. Extremely happy with the quick and warm response.