In a major diplomatic move to combat rising continental tensions, Nigeria and Ghana have agreed to jointly spearhead a campaign against Afrophobic protests across Africa.
The agreement was reached during a bilateral meeting between Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, and Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, on Friday, July 17, 2026. The discussions took place on the sidelines of the ongoing ECOWAS Mid-Year Summit in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
According to a statement released Saturday by Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, spokesperson for Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, both nations are pushing to officially place the issue of Afrophobia on the agenda of the upcoming African Union (AU) Summit.
During the meeting, both ministers expressed deep concern over the recent incidents of Afrophobia—targeted attacks and xenophobic violence against African nationals in various parts of the continent.
Ambassador Enikanolaiye emphasised the critical need for what he described as “preventive diplomacy.”
He noted that strategic consultations between Abuja and Accra would allow both nations to address diplomatic irritants before they escalate into full-blown continental crises.
The two ministers committed to rallying other “like-minded” AU member states to advocate for robust monitoring frameworks, early warning systems, and swift diplomatic interventions to prevent future outbreaks of xenophobic and Afrophobic violence.
The talks also highlighted decades of fraternal ties between West Africa’s two largest economies. Ambassador Enikanolaiye conveyed the warm greetings of Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama, praising Ghana’s leadership in championing Pan-Africanism and global reparations for the historical injustices of the transatlantic slave trade and colonialism.
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Furthermore, Nigeria formally aligned itself with the decisions of the recent Next Steps High-Level Conference hosted by Ghana, celebrating a landmark United Nations resolution on the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
As regional leaders navigate shifting political dynamics within West Africa, both ministers issued a direct call to all AU member states to recommit to the fundamental principles of mutual respect, Pan-African solidarity, and the free movement of people.
To combat deep-seated prejudices, the ministers urged African governments to invest in sustained public education and community dialogue to foster unity across diverse populations.
The meeting concluded with a renewed pledge from both Nigeria and Ghana to deepen their collaboration across ECOWAS, the African Union, and other multilateral platforms to build a more inclusive, peaceful, and economically integrated continent.
Victor Ezeja is a Nigerian journalist skilled in producing insightful news analyses, feature stories, and interviews that simplify complex issues and drive informed public discourse. His work combines rigorous research, balanced reporting, and compelling storytelling to highlight developments shaping industries and society. Victor, who holds a Master's Degree in Mass Communication, specializes in energy, aviation, business, and economic reporting. He can be reached via @VICTOREZEJA on X