Ghanaian President John Mahama has shed light on his visit to Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, revealing a mix of diplomatic and personal reasons behind the high-profile meeting at the State House in Abuja on Thursday.
Speaking to journalists, Mahama expressed gratitude to Tinubu for attending his swearing-in ceremony on January 7, 2025, marking his first official visit to Nigeria since assuming office.
Beyond the formalities, the two leaders engaged in crucial discussions about the escalating security challenges in West Africa, particularly in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. As ECOWAS chairman, Mahama emphasized the importance of keeping Nigeria’s leader informed on ongoing diplomatic efforts with the military-led governments in these countries.
“It’s a complicated situation, and it’s not as easy as we think,” Mahama admitted. “We just need to continue to dialogue and see how we can work together.”
President Tinubu welcomed the conversation, praising Mahama’s role in fostering regional unity and security cooperation.
“I feel good that he is here in the first place,” Tinubu said. “It’s not a bad idea for us to engage in dialogue, especially given the security situation in the Sahel region and the economic opportunities we must explore for the prosperity of our people.”
With security and diplomacy at the heart of their discussions, the meeting underscored the ongoing efforts to stabilize West Africa amid growing regional tensions.
