The Nigerian government has moved to douse rising concerns over anti-Nigerian sentiments in Ghana, following viral clips showing small protests calling for Nigerians to be expelled.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who was sent as President Bola Tinubu’s special envoy, met with her Ghanaian counterpart, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, in Accra on Wednesday to address the matter directly.
She told reporters after their meeting:
“We’re here on a fact-finding visit following the circulation of disturbing videos that understandably triggered concern across Nigeria. I can confidently say that the reality on ground does not match the panic those images caused.”
Odumegwu-Ojukwu added that her delegation had met with Ghanaian government officials, community leaders and residents to better understand the situation and reinforce the message of cooperation.
“Since arriving, I’ve not seen any violence. No burning tyres. No placards calling for Nigerians to be thrown out. The atmosphere is calm. It’s clear that the government of Ghana acted quickly to contain the situation,” she said.
She urged citizens on both sides to be wary of false or inciting narratives.
“Nigeria and Ghana have a long-standing relationship that must not be poisoned by fear or misinformation. These two nations have far more in common than the few moments of tension some try to amplify.”
Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Ablakwa, stressed that while concerns had been raised over the activities of a particular Nigerian individual, the situation was not as dramatic as social media suggested.
“The truth is, the protest was small, and it doesn’t reflect any state-backed hostility toward Nigerians. I’ve personally met the Nigerian involved in the controversy around forming a ‘kingdom’. We’ve confirmed that there was no such political motive,” he said.
He reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to the safety and rights of all residents, regardless of nationality.
“Everyone living in Ghana, citizen or not, deserves protection under the law. We expect everyone to be law-abiding, but nobody should be targeted unfairly.”
Ablakwa also referred to historical moments that strained relations between the two neighbours, warning against repeating those mistakes.
“We remember the Aliens Compliance Order here in Ghana. We also remember Nigeria’s 1983 expulsion. We must not go back to that era. That’s why diplomacy matters, and that’s why this meeting is important.”
Odumegwu-Ojukwu proposed reviving the Nigeria-Ghana Joint Commission to formalise cooperation between both countries and encourage deeper people-to-people engagement.
“This shouldn’t just be about calming a crisis. We need permanent structures that help us work together on trade, migration, and regional security,” she said.
