Ghana’s President, John Mahama, has stressed that the stability of Nigeria is not just a national concern for Nigerians but a critical security and economic factor for the entire West African sub-region, including Ghana.
Speaking at the African Heritage Awards 2026, Mahama highlighted the deep historical, cultural, and economic ties between both countries, noting that cross-border movement, trade, and shared regional frameworks such as ECOWAS make Nigeria’s situation highly consequential for its neighbours.
He explained that Nigeria’s large population and economic weight in Africa mean that any instability whether political, economic, or security-related can have spillover effects across borders, particularly in the form of migration pressures and regional insecurity.
“Nigeria is of key security interest to us. When you have cousins like 250 million of them, you want them to do well so that 1 million of them don’t come drifting towards a small country like Ghana,” Mahama said.
He added that his remarks were rooted in concern for regional balance and stability, stressing that Ghana benefits directly when Nigeria’s economy and governance remain strong.
“That’s why every day I wake up and pray for Nigeria that God should help them get their act together,” he stated.
The president’s comments come against the backdrop of long-standing economic interdependence between the two countries, with Nigerian businesses active in Ghana and Ghanaian professionals also engaged in Nigeria’s economy. Both countries also share security cooperation frameworks under the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Reactions to Mahama’s remarks have been mixed, with some commentators describing his statement as a frank reflection of regional realities, while others argued that the migration reference could be interpreted as sensitive given the historical movement of people between both countries.
Nigeria and Ghana have in the past experienced diplomatic tensions over trade and immigration issues, but analysts say both nations continue to maintain strong bilateral relations anchored on shared regional interests.
Despite the debate, observers note that Mahama’s comments underline a broader concern among West African leaders about the need for stability in major economies like Nigeria, which remain central to regional peace, trade flows, and development.