ACCRA — Former Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana, Ambassador Olufemi Abikoye, has urged Nigeria and Ghana to dismantle trade barriers, eliminate protectionist policies, and establish joint manufacturing industries to foster West African economic integration.
Speaking in Accra, Ghana, during a keynote address at the 2026 Nigeria Union of Traders Association Ghana (NUTAG) Award Night, Abikoye stated that both nations must move beyond selling finished goods to one another and transition toward joint regional production.
The diplomat emphasized that cross-border trade between Nigerians and Ghanaians predates formal regional structures like ECOWAS, noting that bilateral economic cooperation should focus on shared markets, joint industrial manufacturing, and measurable commercial results.
Abikoye cautioned against economic protectionism between West Africa’s two largest economies, stressing that while healthy market competition remains essential, institutional barriers hinder regional industrial growth. He tasked leadership from both countries to leverage their comparative economic advantages to compete globally rather than restrict bilateral trade.
The event concluded with the presentation of the NUTAG Excellence Award 2026 to Ambassador Abikoye in recognition of his diplomatic leadership and contributions toward strengthening commercial relations between Nigeria and Ghana.
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