By Atoyebi Nike
The Nigerian government has initiated diplomatic efforts to repair strained relations with Ghana following rising anti-Nigerian rhetoric and protests targeting Nigerians in the West African nation.
During a two-day visit to Accra, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to deepening bilateral ties beyond government relations, emphasizing the importance of citizen-to-citizen diplomacy.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu began her engagements on Tuesday evening with a brief meeting at Kotoka International Airport with Ghana’s Inspector General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, before his departure for London. She continued similar meetings with Ghanaian officials and Nigerian community leaders on Wednesday.
Her visit comes amid public protests in Ghana, where citizens accused some Nigerians of engaging in criminal and unethical activities. The protests have given rise to the slogan “Nigeria Must Go,” echoing past tensions between the two countries.
Reacting to the development, Senator Bassey Aniekan, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and NGOs, called for calm, urging restraint in the face of a viral video that showed Ghanaians calling for Nigerians’ deportation.
“Nigerians are known for their hard work and resilience. They are good ambassadors of the country wherever they go,” Aniekan said in a statement. “While we do not deny that a few bad elements may exist among them, it is unfair and dangerous to paint the entire community with a broad brush.”
He described the protests and generalisation of Nigerians as “deeply concerning and deserving of outright condemnation,” adding that inflammatory rhetoric could worsen tensions.
Aniekan also underscored the deep cultural and political ties between Ghana and Nigeria as key members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). “Ghana and Nigeria are not just neighbours; we are brothers,” he said.
The Nigerian government continues to explore diplomatic channels to de-escalate tensions and promote mutual understanding between both countries’ citizens.
