Ghanaian Migration to Nigeria in the 1970s–1980s: A Ghana-Centred Look at Hardship, Hope, and the “Ghana Must Go” Era

By
Ellis Ferdinand
-
Ghana history, Ghana Must Go, migration, Nigeria relations, ECOWAS, labour mobility, 1983 expulsion, Ghana economy, West African studies, national development
Ghana history, Ghana Must Go, migration, Nigeria relations, ECOWAS, labour mobility, 1983 expulsion, Ghana economy, West African studies, national development

Ferdinand | EducationGhana | December 11 | Ghanaian Migration to Nigeria in the 1970s–1980s: A Ghana-Centred Look at Hardship, Hope, and the “Ghana Must Go” Era

A Ghana-focused feature on the mass movement of Ghanaians to Nigeria in the 1970s–1980s, the economic crisis at home, the search for work abroad, and the long-term lessons from the 1983 “Ghana Must Go” expulsions.

When an Economic Crisis pushes a Nation to Move

Ghana entered the 1970s with severe economic pressure. Falling cocoa prices, a steady rise in inflation, and shortages of essential goods created daily hardship for families across the country. Political uncertainty under the National Redemption Council and later the Supreme Military Council deepened the strain, leaving many Ghanaians with few options for stable income.As conditions worsened, a growing number of young men and women began travelling to Nigeria. The oil-driven expansion of Nigeria’s economy offered work that simply did not exist at home. From Aflao to Accra, Ho, Kumasi, Cape Coast, Sunyani, and Tamale, the movement grew steadily until it became one of the most significant migration waves in Ghana’s modern history.

Why Nigeria Became a Natural Destination

Nigeria’s economic rise during the oil boom made it the most attractive destination in West Africa at the time. Cities such as Lagos and Port Harcourt were expanding rapidly, and construction sites, factories, and transport companies needed workers.Ghanaians crossed the border in high numbers because:
  • Travel was affordable and straightforward
  • The ECOWAS idea was beginning to gain support
  • Social networks made it easier to find work
  • Language similarities helped in daily interactions
By the early 1980s, it was estimated that more than 300 Ghanaians entered Nigeria each day. Most worked as artisans, drivers, labourers, traders, domestic workers, and port assistants. Their contribution strengthened Nigeria’s urban economy during its period of rapid growth.

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Life Abroad: Work, Survival, and Community

For many migrants, life in Nigeria was a mix of opportunity and challenge. They gained steady income, built small trading ventures, and supported families back home. Remittances from Nigeria became an important source of relief for households in Ghana, especially during periods of food shortages and rising inflation.Community networks helped Ghanaians maintain cultural identity, support new arrivals, and create informal systems of safety. Yet the lack of documentation for most migrants left them vulnerable to sudden policy changes.

The 1983 Turning Point: “Ghana Must Go”

Nigeria’s economic downturn in the early 1980s changed the environment completely. As oil revenue dropped and unemployment increased, public pressure grew against the presence of undocumented migrants.On 17 January 1983, President Shehu Shagari ordered all undocumented foreign nationals to leave Nigeria within a short period. More than one million people were affected, with Ghanaians forming the largest group. The mass return placed enormous strain on Ghana’s transport routes, border towns, and already-weak economy.The phrase “Ghana Must Go” became tied permanently to this event, symbolising the hardship, displacement, and resilience of Ghanaian migrants.

How Ghana Absorbed the Returnees

The sudden return of thousands of migrants created pressure on housing, schooling, and employment. Yet it also had long-term benefits for community life and rural development. Many returnees went into farming, fishing, carpentry, trading, and cooperative projects, helping supply food and basic services at a time when the country was battling a severe economic crisis.Their skills, savings, and networks contributed to Ghana’s local economies, especially in the Volta, Eastern, Brong Ahafo, Ashanti, and Northern Regions.

What the Era Teaches Ghana Today

The migration wave and its abrupt end offer important lessons for Ghana’s present and future:
  1. Economic stability is central to preventing mass migration.
  2. Regional labour mobility remains essential but must be protected by clear policy.
  3. Return migration can support local development when structures exist to absorb workers.
  4. Historical memory should guide Ghana’s approach to migration and integration within the ECOWAS region.
The “Ghana Must Go” era remains a defining moment in Ghana’s relationship with mobility, economic shocks, and regional cooperation.

 

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