Daniel Otera
A protest in Accra, Ghana, calling for Nigerians to leave the country has reignited long-standing concerns about xenophobia in West Africa. The demonstration, which gained traction across social media last weekend, saw protesters accuse Nigerians of involvement in crimes including prostitution, internet fraud, and ritual killings.
While these claims remain unverified, the footage prompted swift diplomatic reactions from both countries.
In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) described the protest as “unjust” and “a blanket outrage”.
Abdur-Rahman Balogun, spokesperson for the commission, quoted NiDCOM Chair Abike Dabiri-Erewa as saying: “Nigerians are not criminals. They are good ambassadors wherever they find themselves while those bad ones should be fished out to face necessary sanctions.”
“Ghana and Nigeria are like Siamese twins,” she added. “They are brothers and, in the spirit of ECOWAS and regional integration, should continue to live in peace like brothers.”
NiDCOM urged both sides to remain calm and warned against reprisals. Dabiri-Erewa also noted that no verified attacks on Nigerian businesses or properties had been confirmed.
“There is no evidence to that, and we must at all cost try to prevent any reprisal attacks,” she said.
This is not the first time Nigerians in Ghana have faced hostility under the guise of regulatory enforcement. Between 2019 and 2020, over 600 Nigerian-owned shops were shut down in Accra and Kumasi by the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), citing violations of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) Act, which requires foreign traders to invest a minimum of $1 million to operate in retail.
Many affected traders claimed they were targeted simply for being Nigerian. A joint investigation by the Nigerian High Commission and Ghana’s Ministry of Trade in 2020 confirmed that enforcement of the GIPC Act disproportionately affected Nigerians engaged in small-scale trade.
Figures from the Ghana Immigration Service show that more than 2,500 Nigerians were deported or repatriated between 2018 and 2021, mostly for irregular stay, lack of work permits, or alleged criminal activities. In 2020 alone, 271 foreigners were deported the majority were Nigerians, according to an official statement published by CitiNewsroom.
GUTA has consistently denied any ethnic bias. Speaking to Citi FM in 2019, a GUTA spokesperson said, “We are not targeting Nigerians. We are enforcing the laws of our country. If you are in Ghana and you are not following the GIPC law, we will act.”
However, a 2024 study by the Centre for Migration Studies at the University of Ghana found that the majority of traders affected by these closures were Nigerians, particularly of Igbo origin. The report suggested selective enforcement, noting that other foreign traders operating under similar conditions were largely ignored.
The ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, adopted in 1979, guarantees citizens of member states the right to live and work across borders without a visa. But real-world enforcement remains patchy.
In 2024, ECOWAS Parliament Speaker Memounatou Ibrahima acknowledged the gaps. “Weaknesses in the implementation mechanism, differences in national interests, and infrastructure problems are undermining this protocol,” she said.
A 2023 survey by the ECOWAS Commission on Migration and Border Management found that more than 60 percent of border officials were unfamiliar with key parts of the treaty. Only 28 percent of ECOWAS citizens surveyed knew they were legally entitled to free movement and residence across the region.
Independent reports by Dialogue Migration and Solution Think Tank observed that enforcement remains arbitrary. At key borders including Togo–Benin and Ghana–Burkina Faso travellers reported harassment and unofficial demands for documentation, in violation of ECOWAS guarantees.
Ghana’s unemployment rate reached 14.7 percent in early 2024, according to the Ghana Statistical Service, with youth unemployment at 36.6 percent among those aged 20 to 24. Rising economic pressure has led some locals to view foreign workers, especially Nigerians, as economic threats.
Although estimates vary, between 100,000 and 200,000 Nigerians are believed to live in Ghana, working mainly in small-scale trade, transport, and tech-related services. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) notes that Nigerians remain one of the most mobile populations in West Africa, often driven by shared colonial and economic histories.
Despite persistent public claims, there is no published data from the Ghana Police Service showing that Nigerians commit crimes at a higher rate than other foreign nationals. Crime reports in Ghana are not broken down by nationality, making targeted allegations difficult to support.
Following the protest, diplomatic efforts have been activated to prevent escalation. Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that it was addressing the matter through formal channels.
“We will engage them diplomatically,” said ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa, as reported by Arise News.
Ghana’s Foreign Ministry also acknowledged the incident and assured that authorities were monitoring the situation. No official policy has been announced targeting Nigerians at this time.
NiDCOM confirmed that both countries’ High Commissions are coordinating responses and ensuring the safety of Nigerian citizens. “Both governments are working closely to avoid any breakdown in relations or retaliatory actions,” said Balogun.
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has reportedly spoken with Ghana’s High Commissioner in Abuja. Emergency lines have been activated at Nigerian missions in Accra and Lagos for citizens needing support.
The Nigerian Senate, in a statement reported by Sahara Reporters, commended NiDCOM and the foreign ministry for their quick response and called for “respect for African solidarity and protection of Nigerians abroad.”