Concerned members of the Nigerian community in Ghana have petitioned the Federal Government, National Assembly and anti-corruption agencies, demanding transparency, accountability and an investigation into the management of funds allocated to the Nigerian High Commission in Accra.
The petition, dated Tuesday, August 18, 2026, was signed on behalf of concerned Nigerians in Ghana by Amb. Oloye Oyeyemisola Fatuyi FIIM, Baale of the Yoruba Community, Mataheko Afienya, Tema, and Chairman of the Greater Accra Yoruba Community, Ghana, alongside Nii Sakumono Okpelente 1, Noryaa Mantse of Greater Accra.
The petition was addressed to the Nigerian High Commissioner in Accra, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
The petitioners are demanding a detailed breakdown of funds allocated and released to the Nigerian High Commission in Accra under the 2025 Appropriation Act, as well as any special intervention funds released to the mission, particularly those relating to consular services and the welfare of Nigerians in Ghana.
According to the group, the 2025 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Appropriation Act provides for the operation of Nigeria’s foreign missions, including consular services and welfare responsibilities for Nigerians abroad.
They also noted that the Federal Government had in recent times approved special intervention funds to address operational shortfalls and outstanding obligations in Nigerian missions abroad.
However, the petitioners alleged that Nigerians in Ghana had repeatedly been compelled to shoulder responsibilities which ordinarily fall within the mandate of the High Commission.
They listed emergency welfare cases, repatriation support, detention matters and other consular interventions among areas where members of the community were allegedly required to provide financial assistance, often under the explanation that there were “no available funds” at the mission.
“This situation raises serious questions about transparency, accountability, and the effective utilization of resources appropriated for our missions,” the petitioners said.
The group argued that the situation places an “unfair financial and moral burden” on Nigerians in Ghana, whom they said contribute to Nigeria through remittances and positive representation of the country abroad.
The petitioners also referenced a recent charge by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, urging Nigerians in the diaspora to uplift Nigeria’s image and project the positive aspects of the country to the world.
They said they were committed to that national responsibility but argued that Nigerians abroad must have confidence in the institutions representing the country.
“The prevailing narrative that ‘there are no funds’ while allocations exist in the national budget erodes trust and makes it difficult for us to defend the image of Nigeria with sincerity,” they said.
Among their demands, the group requested that the Nigerian authorities convene an interactive session or town hall meeting with the leadership of the Nigerian community in Ghana within 30 days.
They said the meeting should address the concerns raised and provide a clear welfare intervention plan for Nigerians in the country.
They also called for the immediate and adequate release of funds to the mission to enable it to discharge its statutory responsibilities to Nigerians without undue delay or recourse to private individuals.
The petitioners further demanded the establishment of a mechanism for regular accountability and feedback to the diaspora community on the utilisation of funds meant for their welfare.
They stressed that their petition was not intended to cast aspersions on the Nigerian High Commission but to seek clarity, promote transparency and strengthen the relationship between the mission and the Nigerian community it serves.
“Nigeria belongs to all of us. We cannot and must not allow dishonesty, inefficiency, or poor stewardship to define our service to the nation,” they said, adding: “Enough is enough.”
Copies of the petition were also sent to the Chairmen of the House Committees on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Affairs, the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Edo State Office, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The petitioners urged the authorities to treat the matter with urgency, investigate the concerns raised, provide the requested information and feedback, and take appropriate steps to restore confidence among Nigerians in Ghana.
They maintained that transparency in the management of public funds allocated to Nigeria’s diplomatic missions was essential to ensuring that Nigerians abroad receive the welfare and consular services for which such funds are appropriated.