‘Every Day I Pray for Nigeria To Do Well So They Don’t End Up Running To Ghana’ — President Mahama

President John Mahama has declared that Ghana’s stability and prosperity are closely tied to Nigeria’s success, warning that failure in Africa’s most populous nation could trigger migration pressures on smaller neighboring countries.

Mahama made the remarks during the African Heritage Awards 2026, where he spoke candidly about the deep historical, cultural, and security links between Nigeria and Ghana.

“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.”

The Ghanaian leader stressed that his concern goes beyond politics, revealing a personal routine shaped by Nigeria’s challenges.

“So every day I wake up, I pray for Nigeria. I say, God, let Nigeria get their act together,” he said.

Mahama also highlighted the historical and ancestral connections between the two nations, particularly tracing Ghanaian roots to Nigeria’s southwestern ethnic groups.

“I remember when a lot of the people in Ghana migrated from Nigeria; they find their roots from the Yoruba kingdoms and all that,” he said.

“And so the Ghana people and all, you know, migrated from Nigeria.”

His comments come amid growing regional concerns over insecurity, economic hardship, and migration flows within West Africa,  warning that instability in Nigeria often has ripple effects across neighbouring countries.

Leaders across the subregion continue to emphasise the strategic importance of Nigeria — not only as Africa’s most populous nation but also as a key driver of economic and security dynamics within the region.

It is against this backdrop that Mahama shared his candid perspective on Nigeria’s progress and its direct implications for Ghana and other neighbouring states.

Speaking at a major continental event, Mahama highlighted how deeply linked the destinies of both nations are, stressing that Nigeria’s success is critical to maintaining balance, prosperity, and migration stability across West Africa.