Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu, held a high-level meeting with Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Samuel Ablakwa, on Thursday to address escalating tensions stemming from protests targeting Nigerians in Ghana. The demonstrations, which have sparked diplomatic concerns, saw some Ghanaians accuse Nigerian residents of contributing to rising crime rates.

Ojukwu, in a statement posted on her official social media account, detailed the discussions, which centered on ensuring the safety of Nigerians and fostering amicable Nigeria-Ghana relations. “The Minister assured that the lives, properties, and businesses of Nigeria and Nigerians living in Ghana are safe and protected, and that there is certainly no threat of mass deportations of our nationals residing in Ghana,” she wrote.

The meeting follows Ojukwu’s arrival in Accra on Wednesday at 9:30 p.m., where she was received at Kotoka International Airport by Ghana’s Inspector-General of Police, signaling the urgency of the diplomatic mission. The Federal Government of Nigeria is actively pursuing a peaceful resolution to the crisis, which was triggered by viral videos showing Ghanaian protesters demanding the expulsion of Nigerians over alleged criminal activities.

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) responded earlier this week, condemning the generalization of Nigerians as criminals. NiDCOM Chairperson Abike Dabiri-Erewa called the accusations “unfair and misleading,” emphasizing that “Nigerians are good ambassadors wherever they find themselves.” She urged both Nigerians and Ghanaians to refrain from inflammatory rhetoric and clarified that no verified evidence exists of attacks on Nigerian-owned businesses or properties in Ghana. “We must at all cost try to prevent any reprisal attacks,” Dabiri-Erewa stated, appealing for calm and assuring Nigerians that authorities are addressing the issue.

The protests have drawn strong reactions, including from Senator Aniekan Bassey, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations. In a statement on Tuesday, Bassey, a member of the 6th ECOWAS Parliament, described the demonstrations as “deeply disturbing and contrary to the spirit of African brotherhood.” He advocated for sustained diplomatic engagement and regional cooperation to resolve the tensions.

Discussions on platforms like X reveal divided sentiments, with some users defending the contributions of Nigerians in Ghana, while others call for stricter oversight of foreign residents. The diplomatic efforts underscore the importance of maintaining the historically strong ties between Nigeria and Ghana, both key members of ECOWAS.

As both nations work toward a resolution, Ojukwu’s engagement with Ghanaian authorities signals Nigeria’s commitment to protecting its citizens abroad while fostering mutual respect and cooperation in the region.