Tension in Accra: Bianca Ojukwu Intervenes as Anti-Nigerian Sentiment Sparks Diplomatic Concerns
LagosExplorer reports: Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, has stepped into escalating diplomatic tensions between Nigeria and Ghana following a wave of anti-Nigerian protests that recently erupted in Accra. In a strategic move to de-escalate tensions, Ojukwu met with Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, to address growing concerns over the safety, treatment, and economic rights of Nigerian nationals residing in Ghana.
The protests, which were sparked by rising public anger and nationalist rhetoric, saw demonstrators flood the streets of Accra, wielding placards that read “Nigerians Must Go,” “End Kidnapping,” “Stop Ritual Murders,” and “End Prostitution.” The outrage stemmed from accusations that some Nigerian nationals were allegedly involved in criminal activities, including fraud, human trafficking, and ritual killings. Demonstrators also expressed frustrations about Nigerian traders dominating local markets, undercutting Ghanaian businesses, and bypassing regulations under the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) Act.
An eyewitness at the protest, a Ghanaian woman dressed in red, passionately declared:
> “Nigerians must go because you cannot be in someone’s country and be doing anyhow.”
Her sentiment echoed widespread dissatisfaction among local traders, who say their businesses are suffering due to unfair competition.
> “How can a Ghanaian sell for ¢550 while a Nigerian sells the same for ¢250?”
a furious market vendor asked during the protest, accusing Nigerians of destabilizing the local economy by flouting trade rules and ignoring licensing laws.
Another protester, speaking from a motorbike, voiced concerns about the future of Ghanaian society:
> “Very soon, you will not even be able to leave your children at home in peace, because the way these Nigerians are spreading crime is getting out of hand.”
The protests triggered swift reactions back home in Nigeria, with civil rights groups and diaspora communities calling on the federal government to respond decisively. Some Nigerians even took to social media demanding retaliatory measures against Ghanaian-owned businesses in Lagos, Abuja, and other major cities.
Amidst growing panic and rising diplomatic pressure, Ambassador Ojukwu’s visit was aimed at diffusing the crisis while securing guarantees for the protection of Nigerians in Ghana.
Although the Ghanaian government has not issued an official condemnation of the protests, both foreign ministries agreed on the need to strengthen communication and cooperation to prevent future occurrences. Ghana’s Foreign Minister reportedly assured Nigeria of efforts to protect lawful residents and business operators irrespective of nationality.
This is not the first diplomatic flare-up between the two West African giants. In 2020, similar unrest erupted when Ghanaian authorities shut down hundreds of Nigerian-owned shops, citing legal violations. Although tensions were resolved diplomatically then, this new episode reveals deeper structural issues around trade, migration, and community integration.
While the immediate violence has been avoided for now, tensions remain high. Analysts warn that if authorities fail to address the root causes—economic inequality, law enforcement gaps, and community mistrust—such protests could spiral into a larger diplomatic fallout.