The Federal Government of Nigeria has expressed deep appreciation to Ghanaian traditional authorities, community leaders, and key stakeholders for their instrumental role in easing recent tensions involving Nigerian nationals living in Ghana. The commendation came during a diplomatic mission led by Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Her Excellency Amb. Bianca Ojukwu, who visited Ghana to engage in high-level mediation and community dialogue.
In an official statement released following the conclusion of the visit, Minister Ojukwu disclosed that the Nigerian delegation held a wide range of consultative meetings across Ghana. These included engagements with traditional rulers, local community leaders, regional representatives of the Nigerian community, civil society stakeholders, and parties directly involved in the recent disputes.
> “During our intervention and mediation efforts in Ghana, we had a series of meetings with traditional rulers, community leaders, the Nigerian community in various regions of Ghana, and several stakeholders, including those involved in the crisis,” the Minister said. “Our mission was focused on identifying underlying issues, promoting dialogue, and fostering sustainable, peaceful coexistence between our nationals and their host communities.”
The diplomatic mission comes in the wake of reports of strained relations in certain areas involving Nigerian migrants and local Ghanaian communities. These tensions, while localized, raised broader concerns about the safety, integration, and mutual understanding between both populations.
Minister Ojukwu emphasized that the Nigerian government remains committed to the welfare of its citizens abroad while respecting the sovereignty and cultural frameworks of host nations. She highlighted the necessity of maintaining strong bilateral ties, which extend beyond formal diplomacy into people-to-people engagement, facilitated significantly by traditional institutions.
> “We are particularly grateful to the Ghanaian traditional institutions for their leadership and partnership in this process,” she continued. “We extend our sincere appreciation to the revered Ashanti Monarch, His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, for his pivotal role in promoting dialogue and understanding. We also recognize the contributions of community leaders such as the Borgu Wolomo, and numerous others who lent their voices and influence to help douse tensions and promote harmony.”
The Minister further acknowledged the resilience and cooperative spirit of the Nigerian community in Ghana, many of whom participated constructively in the peacebuilding dialogues. She reaffirmed the Federal Government’s support for its diaspora population and underscored the importance of lawful conduct, cultural respect, and civic engagement by Nigerian nationals abroad.
She concluded by calling for continued collaboration between both governments and their traditional institutions, noting that mutual respect and inclusive dialogue remain key to a peaceful and prosperous West African sub-region.
The visit marks a significant step in reinforcing diplomatic and grassroots ties between Nigeria and Ghana—two of West Africa’s leading democracies with longstanding historical, economic, and cultural bonds.
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