Kehinde Fajobi
The Canadian High Commission in Nigeria has responded to media reports on the visa denials of senior Nigerian military officers, including the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa.
In a statement on Friday, February 14, the Commission confirmed awareness of the situation but declined to comment on individual visa applications due to privacy concerns.
“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 statement read.
The visa refusals came after Nigerian officials were invited to an event in Canada honouring war veterans. While some members of the delegation received visas, others, including Musa, were denied entry.
Speaking at the maiden annual lecture of the National Association of the Institute for Security Studies in Abuja on Thursday, Musa described the incident as a “wake-up call” for Nigeria to assert its sovereignty.
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“This is a reminder that we must stand on our own, stand strong as a nation, and refuse to be taken for granted,” he said.
National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu also criticised the decision, calling it “disrespectful” and adding, “Canada can go to hell.”
He stressed the need for Nigeria to strengthen itself internally rather than rely on external validation.