Ghana-Nigeria tensions: Leaders call for calm and media restraint
Tensions rose this week between Ghana and Nigeria after a viral video surfaced. In it, Nigerian national Chukwudi Jude Ihenetu claimed to be an “Igbo king” in Ghana. The statement angered many Ghanaians. It also sparked protests last weekend and caused concern.
In response, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu sent Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, to Accra.
She was tasked with fact-finding and calming the situation. She met with Ghana’s Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa to reaffirm strong ties.
At a joint press briefing on July 30, 2025, both ministers urged calm and restraint. They appealed to the media to avoid fanning the flames of tension.
“We want to appeal to you in the media to help manage this situation. Don’t let your platforms become channels for incitement,” said Ablakwa. He cited xenophobic attacks in South Africa as a warning.
He reminded the public that over 500,000 Ghanaians live in Nigeria. This raises the risk of reprisals. He warned against actions that could spark violence or worsen diplomatic strains.
Minister Odumegwu-Ojukwu in his statement made mention that the Nigerian government did not support the offensive remarks made by Ihenetu. Upon arriving in Ghana, she confirmed the situation was calmer than social media suggested.
“We were pleased to find tensions had eased. The fears in Nigeria about reprisals in Ghana were exaggerated,” she said.
She warned young people about the dangers of inflammatory online posts. Such rhetoric can have serious real-world consequences. It can also harm diplomatic relations built over decades.
Both ministers emphasized the need for peace. Ablakwa praised the Nigerian government’s maturity and assured that Ghana would protect all foreigners within its borders.
“If you come to Ghana, respect our laws. We welcome you warmly, but we expect civility,” he stated.
This event shows how fragile international relations can be in the digital era. But it also shows that diplomacy can restore calm. Both countries proved they can work together through respect and dialogue. Moving forward, media and the public must choose peace over provocation.
One voice should not undo decades of friendship. Unity must be protected.
