'We are not criminals': Nigeria condemns anti-Nigerian protest in Ghana, call for calm and unity
The Nigerian government has responded to a viral video showing a group of Ghanaians protesting against Nigerians residing in Ghana, calling for their expulsion over alleged misconduct.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, described the protest as an “unfair generalisation” and a “blanket outrage” against Nigerians living in Ghana.
“Nigerians are not criminals. They are good ambassadors wherever they find themselves while those bad ones should be fished out to face necessary sanctions,” she emphasised.
Dabiri-Erewa appealed for calm on all sides and cautioned Nigerians in Ghana not to respond with provocation or violence. She stressed that Ghana and Nigeria are “like Siamese twins” and must continue to uphold peaceful coexistence within the ECOWAS framework.
“There is no evidence to support claims that Nigerians’ shops or properties are being destroyed in Ghana. We must at all cost try to prevent any reprisal attacks,” she added.
She also commended the swift intervention of both the Ghanaian and Nigerian High Commissioners, noting that the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, had engaged Ghanaian authorities and taken proactive steps to de-escalate the situation.
The viral protest video, which surfaced on social media earlier this week, showed some Ghanaians accusing Nigerians of misconduct and calling for their deportation. However, authorities have urged restraint and discouraged the spread of unverified information.
In a separate statement, the Chairman of the Nigerian Senate Committee on Diaspora and NGOs, Senator Aniekan Bassey, also condemned the protest, describing it as “deeply disturbing and contrary to the spirit of African brotherhood.”
“We must keep the flame of brotherhood alive. Nigeria and Ghana, as key members of ECOWAS, should be at the forefront of promoting peace, unity, and regional integration as enshrined in the ECOWAS charter,” Senator Bassey stated.
He praised the diplomatic handling of the issue by Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa and Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu and lauded the collaborative efforts of the two nations’ High Commissioners.
“We stand with every law-abiding Nigerian in Ghana and urge calm as the appropriate diplomatic channels are being effectively explored,” he said.
Both Nigerian authorities urged citizens to refrain from inciteful comments that could worsen tensions, and reassured them that the rights and safety of Nigerians in Ghana remain a priority.
