The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to preserving the longstanding diplomatic relationship between Nigeria and Ghana as both countries intensify efforts to resolve the ownership dispute surrounding the River Park Estate along Airport Road, Lugbe, Abuja.
The assurance was given on Thursday when the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dunoma Umar Ahmed, received the Acting High Commissioner of Ghana in Abuja to discuss recent developments involving a commercial dispute between a Ghanaian investor and his Nigerian business partner.
The meeting focused on ensuring that the multi-billion-naira property dispute does not escalate into a diplomatic issue capable of affecting the cordial relations that have existed between both countries for decades.
Speaking during the meeting, Ambassador Ahmed reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Ghana and assured the Ghanaian delegation that the Federal Government would address the concerns through appropriate diplomatic and institutional channels.
He explained that although the matter appears to be commercial and legal in nature, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would carefully review the issues raised before forwarding its recommendations to the Minister of Foreign Affairs for further action.
“The Ministry attaches great importance to issues affecting the welfare of citizens of friendly countries residing in Nigeria and will carefully examine the concerns presented,” Ahmed said.
He further assured the delegation that relevant government institutions would be engaged where necessary through established diplomatic channels to ensure the matter is handled responsibly.
The Permanent Secretary reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the rule of law, stressing that the country remains dedicated to protecting legitimate investments while encouraging all parties to resolve their differences through peaceful dialogue and lawful procedures.
Earlier, the Acting High Commissioner of Ghana thanked the Permanent Secretary for granting the delegation an audience at short notice, describing the meeting as another reflection of the strong diplomatic ties between both countries.
She explained that Ghana considered it important to engage the Nigerian government through official diplomatic channels to prevent the commercial disagreement from creating unnecessary public tension capable of affecting bilateral relations.
The envoy expressed concern over the safety and welfare of Ghanaian nationals connected with the investment, alleging that recent developments surrounding the ownership dispute had heightened tensions.
She appealed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to facilitate engagement with relevant Nigerian authorities and urged the government to ensure the protection of lives, property and investments while legal proceedings continue.
The Acting High Commissioner maintained that Ghana remains committed to resolving the matter peacefully and in accordance with the law, expressing confidence that both countries possess the diplomatic maturity required to prevent the dispute from affecting broader cooperation.
Responding, Ambassador Ahmed assured the delegation that Nigeria values its historic relationship with Ghana and remains committed to maintaining an environment that encourages investment, protects foreign nationals and promotes mutual trust among partner nations.
He added that the Ministry would continue working closely with the Ghana High Commission and other relevant stakeholders to ensure the dispute is managed in a manner that safeguards the interests of all parties without undermining the enduring friendship between Nigeria and Ghana.
The ownership dispute over River Park Estate has attracted significant public attention in recent months, with both governments now emphasizing dialogue, diplomacy and legal processes as the appropriate path toward a lasting resolution.
