In an escalating diplomatic rift, Canada’s refusal to grant visas to several high-ranking Nigerian military officials, including the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has ignited a storm of reactions from Nigerian officials.
The incident, which occurred ahead of an event to honor war veterans in Canada, has sparked outrage and calls for a firm diplomatic response from Nigeria.
While some members of the Nigerian delegation received their visas, General Musa and other senior officers were denied entry, leaving the country in shock. The military delegation had been invited to participate in the prestigious event, but the visa denials have now overshadowed the occasion.
A Wake-Up Call for Nigeria
General Musa, speaking at the inaugural lecture of the National Association of the Institute for Security Studies in Abuja, did not mince words in expressing his frustration over the visa denial.
The CDS labeled the incident a “wake-up call” for Nigeria, emphasizing the need for the country to strengthen its sovereignty and assert its presence on the world stage.
National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu echoed this sentiment, condemning Canada’s actions as “disrespectful” and bluntly declaring, “Canada can go to hell.”
Canadian High Commission Deflects Criticism
In response to the mounting backlash, the Canadian High Commission in Nigeria acknowledged the media reports but offered no explanation for the denial of visas.
In a statement, they cited privacy concerns and reiterated their inability to disclose specific details regarding the status of individual applications.
However, sources within the Nigerian government have expressed deep frustration over what they see as an affront to national dignity.
Ministers Demand Action
Nigerian officials are not backing down. Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, called the visa denial a “disrespectful” act toward General Musa and Nigeria as a whole.
In a televised interview, Tunji-Ojo hinted that Nigeria might take reciprocal action if the Canadian embassy does not address the situation. “If this can happen to our highest-ranking military official, what will happen to the average Nigerian?” he asked, stressing that fairness must govern visa and migration processes.
Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has strongly condemned Canada’s actions, warning that such treatment could seriously damage the bilateral relations between the two nations.
Matawalle demanded an urgent investigation into the reasons behind the visa denials, asserting that Nigeria must respond “decisively” to protect its national dignity.
Nigerian Government Weighs Retaliation
Sources within the Nigerian Immigration Service revealed that Nigeria might respond by turning away Canadian nationals at its borders if the Canadian embassy does not offer a satisfactory explanation.
This potential retaliation mirrors an earlier incident where Nigeria took action against South Africa by turning back a South African airline after its government had denied entry to Nigerian nationals. “If the Canadian embassy does not handle this properly, the response will be significant,” an official warned.
At the heart of the controversy is the absence of any clear explanation from the Canadian authorities regarding the visa refusals. The CDS and other senior officers were slated to attend the Invictus Programme in Canada, an international event championed by Prince Harry, further underscoring the seriousness of the situation. Yet, despite their high-profile roles, they were denied entry without any clear justification.
Diplomats Chime In
Former Nigerian diplomats have weighed in on the matter, with some pointing to Nigeria’s diminished diplomatic presence abroad as a contributing factor.
Ex-diplomat Mohammed Mabdul highlighted the lack of senior representation in Nigerian embassies, suggesting that had there been an ambassador in Canada, the matter could have been resolved more swiftly.
Others, like retired Ambassador Ogbole Amedu-Ode, noted that this incident echoed similar challenges faced by former Nigerian leaders like General Yakubu Gowon. In those instances, Nigeria had to forcefully address diplomatic issues through high-level intervention.
Potential Human Rights Concerns?
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana suggested that the visa denials may be linked to Canada’s longstanding policy of restricting entry to military officials accused of human rights violations or corruption.
Canada has a history of denying visas to individuals who are perceived as anti-democratic or complicit in abuses.
However, without further clarification from Canadian officials, it remains unclear whether such concerns played a role in the denial.
Some insiders speculated that the number of individuals in the delegation could have influenced the decision, with one government official suggesting that the Canadian consulate might have cut the delegation’s size to avoid what it saw as an unnecessarily large entourage.
The Road Ahead
As tensions mount, the Nigerian government is determined to assert its position on the global stage. With the Ministry of Foreign Affairs now involved, the next steps in this diplomatic dispute remain uncertain, but Nigeria’s response is likely to be swift and resolute.
The refusal of visas to Nigeria’s top military officers has now become more than just a bureaucratic issue—it is a diplomatic challenge that could shape the future of Nigeria-Canada relations. Whether through retaliation or continued negotiations, one thing is clear: Nigeria is prepared to stand firm and defend its sovereignty in the face of international disrespect.
