The killing of 18-year-old Destiny in Ghana exposes Nigeria’s weak protection of citizens abroad.
Nearly 300 Nigerians have died overseas since 2016, yet justice and diplomatic action remain elusive.
The frequent harassment, violence, and killings of Nigerians abroad have exposed glaring shortcomings in Nigeria’s foreign policy and diplomatic presence. The latest tragedy the killing of an 18-year-old upcoming artiste named Destiny in Ghana’s Volta Region highlights the urgent need for reform.
Destiny, a native of Edo State, was allegedly murdered by fellow Nigerians residing in Ghana. Reports suggest the attack stemmed from a dispute over unremitted funds in a joint business venture. The suspects reportedly stormed his residence and beat him to death, marking yet another Nigerian life lost without justice beyond the country’s borders.
Data reveals that between 2016 and 2023, nearly 300 Nigerians were killed extrajudicially overseas. South Africa has remained a notorious hotspot, with over 200 Nigerians killed in xenophobic attacks during this period.
One notable case was that of Elizabeth Ndubuisi-Chukwu, a deputy director-general of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria, who died under suspicious circumstances in a Johannesburg hotel in 2019. Autopsy reports indicated strangulation, yet her death remains unresolved.
Beyond South Africa, other countries have also seen deadly incidents involving Nigerians. In December 2023, 19-year-old Afolabi Opaso was fatally shot by a police officer in Winnipeg, Canada, during a mental health crisis. In the Philippines, Nigerian medical student Ikem Chukwubuikem was beaten to death by six Chinese nationals after a dispute allegedly involving his girlfriend. The assailants accused him of sexual assault to justify their actions.
In another tragic incident, 16 Nigerian Islamic pilgrims were killed by soldiers in Burkina Faso in 2023 while on their way to Senegal. Like many other cases, justice remains elusive.
The pattern is consistent: Nigerians abroad suffer attacks, discrimination, and in many cases, death yet the Nigerian government’s response is often slow, inadequate, or non-existent. Sadly, this mirrors the reality within the country, where citizens are routinely denied justice for similar abuses.
An example of this indifference came earlier this year when Nigerian boxer Oluwasegun Olanrewaju collapsed and died during a bout in Ghana. It took nearly three months until June 17 for his body to be returned to Nigeria, underscoring the government’s lack of urgency.
In contrast, countries like the United States and Israel make citizen protection a diplomatic priority. The U.S. Bureau of Diplomatic Security offers immediate support to its citizens abroad, ensuring legal recourse, safety, and repatriation assistance when needed. Such structured responses are rarely seen in Nigeria’s diplomatic missions.
This is particularly disheartening given the immense contribution of Nigerians in the diaspora to the nation’s economy. Remittances topped $20 billion in 2024, accounting for around six percent of Nigeria’s GDP. Yet, the country has failed to provide sufficient protection or representation for its global citizens.
Unfortunately, Nigeria currently lacks active diplomatic leadership in many countries. President Bola Tinubu recalled ambassadors in September 2023 but has yet to appoint replacements. This leadership vacuum has left missions in disarray, including in Tehran, where a viral video recently suggested the Nigerian embassy was abandoned amid heightened conflict between Iran and Israel. Other nations evacuated their citizens Nigeria did not.
While the government must urgently enhance protections for its citizens abroad, Nigerians in the diaspora must also act responsibly, respect local laws, and avoid criminal behavior that could put them or others at risk.
Still, the root of the crisis lies deeper. Nigeria’s political class must confront the factors driving mass emigration. Over one million Nigerians currently reside in the United States, and close to two million live in the United Kingdom. Between 2005 and 2024, nearly 72,000 Nigerians acquired Canadian citizenship, while countless others remain as students, workers, or asylum seekers.
Even more troubling, some Nigerians have ended up in high-risk countries like Libya, Iraq, or Mali, drawn by false promises only to suffer exploitation or death.
It is crucial for Nigerians to understand that life abroad is not always a guarantee of success. Despite the many challenges within Nigeria, opportunities still exist for those willing to innovate and work hard. But these opportunities must be matched with government commitment to citizen welfare, justice, and dignity.
In the end, a country’s foreign policy is only as strong as its commitment to protecting its people. For Nigeria, that commitment must be renewed and redefined urgently.
