In a recent viral video, Ghana’s President, John Dramani Mahama, remarked that he prays daily for Nigeria to “get it right,” stressing that Ghana’s progress—and Africa’s progress—depends heavily on Nigeria’s success. As he put it, “If Nigeria does well, Ghana does well.” His statement reflects a long-held belief shared by many Black leaders and thinkers across generations: that Nigeria carries a moral, political, and even spiritual responsibility to provide leadership for Africa and the Black world.
This expectation is not without reason. Nigeria is the most populous Black nation globally, endowed with vast human and natural resources, and has historically positioned Africa as the centrepiece of its foreign policy since independence. Mahama’s remarks can therefore be seen as a subtle reminder to Nigeria, which many believe has retreated from its traditional leadership role in recent years, as its growing silence on key African matters has become increasingly noticeable.
However, Mahama’s statement went further, and the second part cut deeper. He added: “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. So every day I wake up, I pray for Nigeria… God, let Nigeria get their act together.” He also referenced historical links between Ghanaians and Nigeria, noting that some Ghanaians trace their roots to Yoruba kingdoms and other Nigerian communities.
These concluding remarks can be interpreted in different ways. Some may see them as genuine concern rooted in shared history and cultural ties—especially given that Mahama reportedly spent part of his early life in Nigeria. Others may view the comments as a subtle extension of the long-running banter and rivalry between both countries, only this time delivered from the highest political office. Whether heartfelt or slightly mocking, the message remains clear: Nigeria has significant work to do in order to regain stability, restore its reputation, and reclaim its leadership position on the continent.
The backstory to Mahama’s remarks lies in Nigeria’s historical influence in Africa. From the 1960s through the late 1990s and into the early 2000s, Nigeria pursued bold and far-reaching foreign policies that earned it admiration across the continent. The country sponsored liberation movements in southern Africa, supported and trained anti-apartheid activists in South Africa, and played key roles in peacekeeping missions under the United Nations and the African Union (then the OAU). It also provided technical assistance to developing Black nations through initiatives like TACS and helped end prolonged civil wars in Liberia and Sierra Leone through regional intervention.
But the same “giant” that once stood tall began to falter. Internal ethno-religious and political tensions deepened, insecurity worsened, economic policies weakened, and governance failures created major infrastructure deficits. Poverty and hunger surged, crime rates climbed, and uncertainty became widespread. These challenges fuelled mass migration—popularly called the “japa syndrome”—which has further damaged Nigeria’s image internationally. The once-respected regional powerhouse gradually became associated with instability and negative stereotypes, turning into one of the most criticised countries on the continent.
Given this decline, Mahama’s concern may not be entirely unfounded. The increasing migration of Nigerians to virtually any country willing to grant visas has become unsettling. Many Nigerians now appear desperate to live anywhere but Nigeria. Across the globe, Nigerians are found in unlikely places—sometimes thriving with remarkable entrepreneurial success, and other times linked to criminal activity that earns hostility from host communities. Migration is natural and has always been part of human existence, but the scale of Nigeria’s outward movement signals deeper structural failure.
If Nigeria can fix its foundational issues—security, electricity, roads, schools, healthcare, and social welfare—many of those abroad may begin to reconsider returning home. Nigeria remains a beautiful and promising country when things work as they should. It possesses remarkable landscapes, maritime diversity, rich vegetation, highlands, wildlife, and a cultural depth that is unmatched. With stability and functional systems, it could easily rank among the most pleasant places to live, driven by a welcoming and energetic population.
Beyond its struggles, Nigeria remains a source of inspiration to Africa. Its music and films dominate African entertainment, while Nigerian talents continue to gain visibility in Hollywood and global creative industries. Nigeria also produced Africa’s first Nobel Prize winner in Literature and gave the world one of the most widely read novels ever written, Things Fall Apart. In sports, Nigeria has made historic achievements, including becoming the most successful nation in FIFA Under-17 World Cup history, winning Olympic football gold, and hosting major FIFA tournaments. These accomplishments have helped shape Africa’s confidence on the global stage, inspiring other nations like Egypt and South Africa to pursue international sporting bids.
Nigeria’s influence is therefore undeniable. If the country succeeds, it lifts the continent’s confidence and strengthens Africa’s global standing. If it regains stability and direction, Nigeria would not have to struggle for recognition as a credible candidate for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
In 2007, South African icon Nelson Mandela reportedly said the Black world needed Nigeria to be great. Now, in 2026, Mahama—whether intentionally or not—has echoed that same message. But Nigeria “getting it right” will require more than rhetoric. It will demand restoring security and hope at home, pursuing a Nigeria-centred foreign policy that protects citizens abroad, ensuring the diaspora upholds the laws and values of host nations, and ensuring that international partnerships and interventions serve national interest and development.
Ultimately, Nigeria’s return to greatness is possible, but it will require collective readiness—both from government and citizens—to rebuild the nation’s institutions, restore its dignity, and reclaim its rightful place as Africa’s leading voice.