N igeria has strongly reacted to Canada’s decision to deny visas to several senior military officials, including the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa. The diplomatic standoff has sparked widespread criticism, with Nigerian authorities considering an appropriate response.
The visa denial prevented General Musa and some other officials from attending an event in Canada honoring war veterans. While some delegation members secured visas, others were refused entry, leading to disappointment and diplomatic concerns.
A “Wake-Up Call” for Nigeria
Speaking at the annual lecture of the National Association of the Institute for Security Studies in Abuja, General Musa expressed his dismay, calling the refusal a “wake-up call” for Nigeria to strengthen its sovereignty.
His stance was supported by National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu, who labeled Canada’s decision as “disrespectful,” asserting that “Canada can go to hell.”
Canada Responds
The Canadian High Commission in Nigeria acknowledged the media reports on the visa issue but refrained from discussing specific applications due to privacy policies.
“The High Commission of Canada in Nigeria is aware of media reports related to planned travel by senior officials. However, for privacy reasons, we are unable to comment on the status of visa applications of specific individuals,” the commission stated.
Nigerian Ministers Condemn Canada’s Decision
Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo and Minister of State for Defence Bello Matawalle strongly criticized the visa denials, with Tunji-Ojo calling it a sign of disrespect to Nigeria. He suggested that Nigeria might consider reciprocal measures.
“Without knowing the full facts, I believe that reciprocity must be considered. While we respect the sovereignty of other nations, migration management should be approached with fairness. Denying a visa to the CDS is not just disrespectful to him personally but to Nigeria as a whole,” Tunji-Ojo said in an interview on Channels Television.
Matawalle echoed similar sentiments, warning that Canada’s decision could jeopardize diplomatic relations between the two nations. He called for a thorough investigation into the matter, insisting that Nigeria must respond decisively.
“This incident is not merely a bureaucratic oversight; it is a serious affront to our national dignity and integrity. We cannot allow our country to be treated with such disregard,” he stated.
Nigeria Considers Retaliatory Measures
A senior official from the Nigerian Immigration Service, speaking anonymously, suggested that Nigeria could respond by imposing entry restrictions on Canadian nationals if the matter remains unresolved.
“If the Canadian embassy does not handle this situation properly, Nigeria may also start turning back Canadian nationals entering the country. This is similar to what we did with South Africa a few months ago when they turned back a large number of Nigerians,” the official warned.
Questions Surround the Visa Denial
A Defence Headquarters source revealed that General Musa and his team were scheduled to attend the Invictus Programme in Canada, an event championed by Prince Harry. The source expressed frustration over the lack of explanation for the visa refusals.
“They were never told why their visas were denied. The CDS and other officials were not going for a jamboree; this was an important international event,” the source said.
Former Diplomats Weigh In
Some retired diplomats attributed the issue to Nigeria’s lack of senior diplomatic representation in Canada. Former envoy to Algeria, Mohammed Mabdul, pointed out that Nigeria currently lacks ambassadors in many key foreign missions, weakening its diplomatic standing.
“Our embassies don’t have ambassadors; only charge d’affaires. If we had an ambassador in Canada, the matter could have been addressed swiftly,” Mabdul noted.
Human Rights and Corruption Concerns?
Prominent human rights lawyer Femi Falana suggested that the visa denials could be linked to Canada’s stance on human rights and corruption.
“Countries deny visas to high-ranking officials if they are suspected of human rights abuses or corruption. It is a challenge to our government to uphold human rights and governance standards,” Falana said.
What’s Next?
With diplomatic tensions rising, Nigeria is now considering its next steps. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is expected to engage Canada on the issue, while calls for reciprocal action gain momentum. As both nations navigate this diplomatic hurdle, the outcome could have lasting implications for bilateral relations.
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