…”Nigerians must go because you can’t be in someone’s country and be behaving anyhow.”
ACCRA, GHANA – The iNews Times reports that Nigerians living in Ghana have condemned the recent “Nigerians Must Go” protest staged by dozens of Ghanaian citizens, describing it as a dangerous provocation aimed at igniting diplomatic tensions between the two West African neighbours.
The protest, which erupted across parts of Accra on Tuesday, July 29, saw demonstrators take to the streets in red T-shirts, some wrapped in Ghanaian flags, chanting anti-Nigerian slogans and brandishing placards with inflammatory messages. Accusations ranged from ritual killings and prostitution to kidnapping and economic dominance–most targeted at Nigeria’s Igbo community.
Placards seen in viral videos carried disturbing messages such as, “Our kids are getting missing because of Igbos”, “Nigerians are kidnapping and using people for rituals”, and “Our health at stake due to mass prostitution.” One woman, captured on camera, declared, “Nigerians must go because you can’t be in someone’s country and be behaving anyhow.”
Another protester went further, saying, “They even have an Igbo king in Ghana. They have hijacked our lands. It is just a matter of time; we will conquer them and take over our country.”
In response, members of the Nigerian community say the protest reflects a pattern of hostility and discrimination they have endured for years, ranging from targeted rent hikes to selective law enforcement.
Businessman Patrick Isaac told reporters that many Nigerian traders had been warned about the protest in advance and were advised not to retaliate, fearing the situation had been engineered to provoke violence that could escalate into a diplomatic crisis.
“This has been going on for a long time,” Isaac said. “The plan was to provoke us into attacking them so they could turn it into an international issue. We were told not to respond during the protest.”
He denied claims that the protest was triggered by any comments made by Chukwudi Ihenetu, the self-proclaimed Igbo king in Ghana, stressing that the agitation was rooted in envy over Nigerian success in Ghanaian markets.
“The truth is, a Nigerian trader here often lives a better life than the average Ghanaian. That’s the real problem. They can’t stand it. So they inflate rents, impose unnecessary taxes, and try to push us out of business,” he said.
Isaac also criticised the Nigerian High Commission in Ghana for what he called a lack of responsiveness and failure to protect citizens against increasing victimisation.
A Nigerian trader, who requested anonymity for safety reasons, described the protest as a calculated move to drive Nigerian businesses out of Ghana. He cited the controversial Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) law, which mandates a $1 million capital investment for foreign businesses–a policy that has disproportionately affected Nigerian traders.
“This started back in 2017 when they said foreigners can’t engage in retail trade. Then in 2019, they closed down our shops. Now they’re targeting Igbos, because we dominate the markets and have strong community support,” he said.
For Emmanuel Chubike, a fashion designer from Imo State, the consequences of the tensions are becoming deeply personal. He said landlords are now using the unrest as an excuse to evict Nigerian tenants or hike rents by over 50%.
“Before you get an apartment here, you will go through hell,” Chubike said. “Even I’m now facing eviction. My landlord raised my rent and it’s obvious it’s due to the anti-Nigerian sentiment.”
He appealed to both the Nigerian and Ghanaian governments to urgently address the tensions before they spiral into a full-blown crisis.
“We need both governments to act, not just to protect Nigerians in Ghana, but to promote peace and mutual respect between our people,” he said.
As diplomatic observers watch the situation closely, there are growing calls for leadership from both nations to douse the flames and prevent history from repeating the hostility of the past.
