‘This Is an Affront to Our National Dignity’ – Nigeria Threatens Action Against Canada Over Visa Denial

Nigeria has vowed to take decisive action against Canada following the denial of visas to the country’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and other members of a Nigerian delegation. The delegation had been scheduled to attend an event in Canada honoring Nigerian war veterans, but their visa applications were rejected, sparking a diplomatic dispute.

Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, condemned the visa denial, calling it an affront to Nigeria’s national dignity and integrity. In a statement signed by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Ministry of Defence, Iyogun Sunday, Matawalle stressed that Nigeria must assert itself on the global stage and will not tolerate such treatment.

“This is not a mere bureaucratic mistake; it is an affront to our national dignity and integrity. We cannot allow our country to be disrespected in this way on the global stage,” Matawalle stated.

He called for an immediate and thorough investigation into the reasons behind the visa refusal, emphasizing that Nigeria must take a strong diplomatic stance. He warned that if Canada fails to provide a satisfactory explanation, Nigeria will take appropriate and assertive action.

The incident has raised concerns about the state of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Canada, particularly regarding the treatment of Nigerian military officials. The country’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, had earlier criticized the Canadian embassy for the decision, adding weight to the growing discontent within the Nigerian government.

Ribadu’s remarks followed comments from General Musa, who spoke at an event in Abuja, where he described the visa denial as disappointing. Musa acknowledged the setback but urged Nigeria to stand firm as a nation and not be underestimated on the international stage.

The Nigerian government’s response to the issue remains to be seen, but officials have indicated that the matter will not be taken lightly. The diplomatic tension adds to ongoing concerns over how Nigerian officials are treated by foreign nations and could lead to a review of Nigeria-Canada relations in the near future.