By Anti-Nigerian protests in Ghana
Nigerian government urges calm and diplomacy
Summary
- Nigerian authorities condemn blanket criminalisation of citizens and urge restraint to maintain regional peace
- NIDCOM emphasises historical ties and majority of Nigerians in Ghana as law-abiding contributors to society
- Senate and diplomats call for deeper engagement as Ghanaian government remains silent on protest demands
Abuja, Nigeria – The Nigerian government has responded with a call for calm and diplomatic engagement following recent protests in Ghana demanding the expulsion of Nigerians over alleged criminal activities.
The protests, held in Accra, saw demonstrators wielding placards with messages such as “Nigerians Must Go” and “End Ritual Murders,” accusing Nigerians, particularly of Igbo descent, of fuelling insecurity, engaging in prostitution, fraud, and dominating local markets in violation of Ghana’s laws on foreign retail participation.
Reacting to the incident, the Chairman and CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, strongly condemned what she described as the “blanket generalisation” of Nigerians as criminals. She maintained that while isolated individuals may have committed offences, the overwhelming majority of Nigerians in Ghana are law-abiding and contribute positively to the host society.
Describing Nigeria and Ghana as “Siamese twins” linked by history and regional cooperation through the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Dabiri-Erewa stressed the need for peaceful coexistence and mutual respect. She also dispelled unverified claims of attacks on Nigerian-owned businesses, stating that no evidence had emerged to support such reports, and cautioned against inflammatory rhetoric that could worsen tensions.
Diplomatic interventions are ongoing, with Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, working in coordination with Nigerian and Ghanaian High Commissioners to address the situation.
Echoing these sentiments, the Nigerian Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations, chaired by Senator Aniekan Bassey, described the protests as “deeply disturbing” and inconsistent with the spirit of African unity. The committee urged continued diplomatic efforts to ensure the safety and dignity of Nigerians residing in Ghana.
As of 30 July 2025, the Ghanaian government has yet to issue an official statement in response to the protests or clarify any intention to act on the demonstrators’ demands.
Nigerian authorities continue to urge citizens to remain calm and avoid reprisals, stressing the importance of maintaining peace and regional integration.
