Upper and middle-class groups debated over a video posted online by a Ghanaian throughout the weekend. The thesis discusses the perceived increase in the influx of Nigerians to rural and urban Ghana. The unidentified narrator cites three key factors for this current influx.
These are a more stable power supply in Ghana, economic stability, and a more peaceful environment compared to Nigeria.
Others noted that the West Coast migration of Nigerians is not a new phenomenon. The movement of Nigerians through West Africa created Nigerian hubs in Ivory Coast, Ghana, and Sierra Leone. Ghana was prominent until a forced exodus in 1969. Years later, Nigeria forced West Africans out of the country with Ghanaians dominant.
We conducted some research into the phenomenon.
Current Migration Trends and Factors Driving Nigerian Migration to Ghana
As of 2024, approximately 77,000 Nigerians reside in Ghana, making it one of the largest Nigerian diaspora communities in West Africa. While this number does not indicate a mass exodus comparable to historical waves (e.g., the 1983’ Ghana Must Go” expulsion of Ghanaians from Nigeria), it reflects ongoing migration driven by specific socio-economic and political factors.
These figures first appeared in 2021 without any update in 2024.
Key Factors Driving Nigerian Migration to Ghana
Economic Opportunities
• Regional Economic Hub: Ghana’s economy has shown resilience in the face of challenges like debt and inflation. In 2024, GDP growth surged to 5.9%, driven by the oil, gas, and services sectors. This attracts Nigerian entrepreneurs and professionals, particularly in trade, energy, and finance.
• ECOWAS Mobility: The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) permits visa-free movement for up to 90 days, promoting cross-border trade and labour mobility. Nigerian traders and small business owners frequently utilise this opportunity to tap into Ghana’s markets.
• The movement is historical: Nigerian migration to Ghana dates back to the caravan period. In the first half of the 20th century, Nigerians were drawn to Ghana by the mines, cocoa plantations, and railway work. Later, in the 1960s, they dominated the Ghanaian marketplace as traders of a wide variety of goods until their expulsion in 1969.
Political and Security Stability
• Governance: Ghana ranks among Africa’s top three countries for press freedom and democratic governance, contrasting with Nigeria’s protracted political crises (e.g., Rivers State instability).
• Safety Concerns: Escalating insecurity in Nigeria—including banditry, kidnappings, and communal violence—drives some Nigerians to seek safer environments in Ghana.
Educational and Professional Prospects
• Higher Education: Ghana’s universities, including the University of Ghana and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, attract Nigerian students due to their perceived quality and affordability compared to Western institutions.
• Healthcare Sector: Ghana’s doctor-to-patient ratio (1:1,600) is better than Nigeria’s (1:5,000), drawing Nigerian medical professionals seeking better working conditions.
Cultural and Historical Ties
• Shared Anglophone Heritage: Both nations share linguistic (English) and colonial histories, easing integration for Nigerians.
• Diaspora Initiatives: Ghana’s “Year of Return” (2019) and “Beyond the Return” campaigns, aimed at attracting the African diaspora, indirectly appeal to Nigerians reconnecting with ancestral roots.
Historical Context and Modern Dynamics
• Reciprocal Expulsions: Nigeria and Ghana have a history of mutual expulsions (e.g., Ghana’s 1969 Aliens Compliance Order and Nigeria’s 1983 expulsion of Ghanaians). However, current relations are more cooperative within ECOWAS frameworks.
• Trade Relations: Nigeria is Ghana’s most significant African trading partner, with bilateral trade exceeding $1.2 billion annually. This economic interdependence fosters migration for business ventures.
Challenges and Tensions
• Xenophobic Undercurrents: Despite improved relations, occasional tensions arise, such as Ghanaian complaints about Nigerian dominance in retail and informal sectors.
• Regulatory Barriers: Ghana’s $1 million capital requirement for foreign retailers, implemented in 2020, sparked protests from Nigerian traders and highlighted friction in economic integration.
Comparative Analysis of Nigerian Brain Drain
While Nigeria’s “Japa” syndrome (the mass emigration of skilled workers to the West) is well documented, experts say migration to Ghana represents a regional brain drain. Skilled Nigerians in Ghana often hold positions in academia, healthcare, and technology, contributing to Ghana’s development while underscoring Nigeria’s retention failures.
Nigerian migration to Ghana is not an exodus but a steady flow shaped by economic pragmatism, regional mobility, and comparative stability. While historical grievances linger, both nations benefit from mutual trade and cultural exchange. For Nigeria, addressing root causes—such as poor governance, insecurity, and economic stagnation—is critical to curbing talent flight.
Balancing diaspora inclusion with local economic protections in Ghana remains a challenge.
The Shehu Sani charge to young Fulanis
Security concerns and news dominated social media in the last two weeks. The Bokkos, Plateau State killing followed the one in Uromi, Edo State. President Bola Tinubu issued directives from Paris for officials to deal squarely with the perpetrators. However, there were more incidents in Ondo, Benue and other states. Amidst these came the Shehu Sani video.
3. 10-15 years of banditry has not produced a billionaire among the bandits; Senator Shehu Sani charges Fulani youths to work against banditry.
Former Senator Shehu Sani is receiving fulsome plaudits for a trending video online where he educated Fulani youths on the evils of banditry and the damage it has done to the Fulani ethnic group.
The video shows Sani seated with some young men and women in a house courtyard. He laments about the situation.
“Most of them are in their 17, 18, 19, early 20s and 30s. Very brutal. They rape women. They burn down houses. They attack churches, attack mosques, and commuters and extort money from farmers. Farmers have to pay fines and taxes to go to farms. Their activities have destroyed agriculture, cattle rearing, and education in Northern Nigeria. Many schools are closed.
You have a duty and responsibility as educated Fulanis, of which we are, to reach out to your people that crime does not pay. Ten to fifteen years of banditry has not produced one billionaire among the bandits.
It has destroyed the lives of Fulanis. It has even destroyed Fulanis’s image and reputation. Every Fulani seen now is seen to be a bandit.
There are Fulani doctors, lawyers, engineers, and architects. There are Fulani professors all over Nigeria. There are Fulani businessmen. But the criminality of these bandits, who are mainly Fulani, has destroyed the name, image and reputation of every Fulani man. How does that help us?
Don’t take your mission lightly. It is very important for Nigeria’s peace, unity, progress, and security. The northern part of Nigeria used to be the most peaceful part of this country. But looking at you now, someone will think you are a bandit. I will use this opportunity to assure you of my support.
You should go to every nook and cranny and meet your people. Tell them that we don’t want banditry, kidnapping and the activities that have destroyed our image as the people in Northern Nigeria.”
Celebrating excellence in governance?
🗣️🗣️Dear Nigerians,
Let’s take a moment to celebrate excellence in governance, shall we?
🏆 Best Use of N10 Million (Twice!) goes to the Youth Ministry @fmydNG, which paid one-man N10 million twice to ‘Invite 50’ Youths to President @officialABAT first Anniversary. RSVP costs money—a lot of it. 💰
🏆Most Entertaining Governors: State Governors selflessly spent N968 billion on entertainment.
📌A College of Fisheries in Niger State spent N917 million in March 2024 for tricycles and security vehicles in Lagos and Ogun.
Oh, and a round of applause for Nigerian MDAs that paid over N159 billion into private accounts in six years.
Guess whose money funds these? And you still won’t #AskQuestions?
Visit govspend.ng today.
https://x.com/BudgITng/status/1909141897391513738?t=jhwIrUdQOEUKm1vpRue4uQ&s=08
Overheard
“A shameless nation where military generals take pride in paying ransom to bandits, kidnappers, and criminals. This openly reveals the porous and failed state of our national security. What fate awaits the common man if generals are proud of paying the ransom?”
https://punchng.com/generals-civilians-raise-ransom-for-ex-nysc-dg-tsigas-release/.
A $2,300 Apple iPhone? Trump tariffs could make that happen
Reuters News Agency reported on 4 April that the iPhone16 could become pricier by 43 per cent and cost as much as $2300 if Apple Corporation does not find a way around the Trump Tariffs.
Most iPhones are still made in China, which was hit with a 54% tariff. If those levies persist, Apple will have a tough choice: absorb the extra expense or pass it on to customers.
Shares of the company closed down 9.3% on Thursday, hitting their worst day since March 2020.
Apple sells more than 220 million iPhones annually, and its biggest markets are the United States, China, and Europe.
The cheapest iPhone 16 model was launched in the U.S. with a sticker price of $799, but it could cost as much as $1,142, according to calculations based on projections from analysts at Rosenblatt Securities. They say the cost could rise by 43% if Apple is able to pass that on to consumers.
A more expensive iPhone 16 Pro Max, with a 6.9-inch display and 1 terabyte of storage, currently retails at $1599. If a 43% increase were to be passed on to consumers, it could cost nearly $2300 or N3.5m.