Why Canada Denied Visas to Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, Military Officials

The Canadian Embassy has denied visas to Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, and several top military officials due to a diplomatic oversight. Reports indicate that the affected officers applied for visas without the required Note Verbale from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a key diplomatic protocol for high-ranking government officials traveling abroad.

A government source confirmed the error, stating, “There was a diplomatic mistake by the desk officers handling the CDS and others’ visa applications. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not attach a Note Verbale, which is essential to confirm the trip’s legitimacy and security implications.”

In response, the Federal Government has stepped in to resolve the issue, engaging with Canadian officials to rectify the situation. The source emphasized that the matter was not a diplomatic conflict but an effort to ensure compliance with procedural requirements.

The incident drew sharp criticism from National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu, who strongly condemned Canada’s decision. Speaking at the National Association of the Institute for Security Studies (AANISS) annual lecture in Abuja, Ribadu expressed his frustration, declaring, “Canada can go to hell.”

Gen. Musa, who had been scheduled to attend a veterans’ event in Canada, also expressed disappointment over the visa denial. “We were invited to honor our war veterans, including those injured in battle. Half of our team received visas, while the rest, including myself, were denied. It’s very disappointing,” he said.

Ribadu commended Gen. Musa for speaking out and stressed the need for Nigeria to assert its dignity on the global stage. “It’s painful and disrespectful, but we are strong. This is why we must work harder to build a Nigeria that commands respect,” he said.

Former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode also weighed in on the controversy, praising Ribadu’s stance. In a social media post, he accused Canada of treating Nigerian officials with contempt, adding that the era of foreign governments disrespecting Nigeria without consequences was over.