President of Ghana, John Mahama, has stressed that Nigeria’s stability is vital to the security and economic wellbeing of West Africa, warning that any major challenges in Africa’s most populous country could have ripple effects across the subregion.
Mahama made the remarks while speaking at the African Heritage Awards 2026, where he highlighted the long-standing historical, cultural, and economic ties between Ghana and Nigeria.
According to him, the fortunes of the two countries are closely linked, noting that developments in Nigeria directly affect Ghana’s own stability and prosperity.
“Nigeria is of keen security interest to us. If Nigeria does well, Ghana does well,” Mahama said.
He explained that Nigeria’s large population makes its stability a major concern for neighbouring countries, particularly smaller states that could face migration pressures if the situation in Nigeria deteriorates.
“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.
Mahama also revealed that he personally follows developments in Nigeria closely and often reflects on the country’s situation.
“I think about Nigeria a lot and I pray that things will continue to improve because what happens in Nigeria affects the rest of us in the region,” he added.
The former Ghanaian leader further pointed to deep ancestral and migration links between the two nations, particularly the cultural connections between Ghanaian communities and the Yoruba people in southwestern Nigeria.
“Many of our people trace their ancestry to the Yoruba areas of Nigeria. Our histories are intertwined, and that is why Nigeria’s stability matters to all of us,” Mahama said.
He noted that these shared roots and long-standing relationships reinforce the need for sustained peace, cooperation, and economic stability between the two countries.