Nigeria Demands Apology from Canada over Visa Denial to Military Chiefs
The Canadian government’s decision to deny visas to Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, and other senior military officials has ignited a diplomatic controversy. This move, if not justified, represents a significant misstep in international relations and a breach of diplomatic protocol.
As a key representative of Nigeria’s military, General Musa has engaged with international counterparts, including the Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, General CQ Brown Jr., to discuss security cooperation and regional stability. The visa denial, therefore, is not only embarrassing but also undermines the spirit of collaboration between nations.
General Musa disclosed the incident during the maiden annual lecture of the National Association of the Institute for Security Studies (AANISS) in Abuja. He described the situation as both disappointing and a wake-up call for Nigeria to strengthen its self-reliance.
“Every disappointment is a blessing,” Musa remarked. “Yesterday, I was meant to be in Canada for an event honoring our veterans—those injured in battle. We were invited alongside our team, but while half of the delegation was granted visas, the other half was denied. It’s very disappointing.”
He emphasized that the incident underscores the need for Nigeria to “stand on its own, stand strong as a nation, and ensure it is no longer taken for granted.” At the time of writing, the Canadian government has yet to provide an official explanation for the visa denials.
A visa denial without explanation or justification erodes trust and cooperation between Nigeria and Canada. The Canadian government should provide clear reasons for its decision and to issue an apology if the denial was an error or oversight.
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The Canadian government must consider the potential consequences of their actions on bilateral relations and regional security cooperation. An apology for any mistakes made would be a crucial step toward repairing the relationship and maintaining a positive diplomatic partnership.
In a positive development, Jamie Christoff, the Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, has reportedly written an apology letter to the office of Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, acknowledging the error by the Canadian embassy. This gesture, while commendable, must be followed by concrete actions to rebuild trust.
The incident also highlights the broader issue of Nigeria’s need for self-reliance. General Musa stressed that achieving this requires a multi-faceted approach, including diversifying the economy, reducing dependence on oil exports, and investing in sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, and services.
To strengthen self-reliance, Nigeria must eEmncourage local industries to produce goods and services, reducing reliance on imports; invest in infrastructure development roads, railways, airports, and seaports to facilitate trade and commerce, foster entrepreneurship, develop human capital, and enhance food security.
It should also promote agricultural development, encourage innovation and technology to drive competitiveness and strengthen institutions to ensure good governance, transparency, and accountability
By implementing these measures, Nigeria can reduce its dependence on external factors and achieve sustainable economic growth and development.
The visa denial incident serves as a reminder that diplomatic relations must be handled with care and respect. Canada’s apology is a step in the right direction, but both nations must work together to ensure such missteps do not recur.
*Olayemi Esan is Managing Director of SpyeTV Communications Limited. She can be reached via 08035132961 or [email protected].*
