President John Mahama has stressed the importance of Nigeria’s stability to Ghana’s security and economic well-being, warning that challenges in Africa’s most populous nation could trigger migration pressures across the subregion.
Mahama made the remarks at the African Heritage Awards 2026, where he highlighted the strong historical, cultural, and economic ties between Nigeria and Ghana.
According to him, Nigeria’s progress is directly linked to Ghana’s fortunes, noting that instability in the country could have spillover effects on smaller neighbouring states.
“Nigeria is of keen security interest to us. If Nigeria does well, Ghana does well,” Mahama said.
“I mean, when you have cousins, 250 million of them, you want them to do well so that one million of them don’t come drifting towards a small country like Ghana,” he said, adding that the size of Nigeria’s population makes its stability a matter of regional concern.
Mahama also expressed personal concern over Nigeria’s situation, stating that he regularly reflects on the country’s challenges and hopes for improvement.
He further pointed to longstanding ancestral and migration links between the two countries, particularly connections between Ghanaian communities and the Yoruba ethnic groups in southwestern Nigeria.
The former Ghanaian leader noted that these shared roots reinforce the deep relationship between both nations and underscore the need for sustained stability in Nigeria.
His comments come amid growing concerns across West Africa over insecurity, economic pressures, and migration trends, with regional leaders continuing to stress Nigeria’s strategic role in maintaining balance and prosperity within the subregion.
