The Federal Government of Nigeria has strongly condemned the Canada government’s decision to deny visas to senior military officials, including the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa. The visa denial, which prevented the officials from attending a war veterans’ event in Canada, has ignited a diplomatic dispute between the two nations.
The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, expressed his outrage during the maiden annual lecture of the National Association of the Institute for Security Studies in Abuja. Ribadu described the move as “disrespectful” and declared, “Canada can go to hell.”
General Musa, visibly disappointed, described the incident as a “wake-up call” for Nigeria to prioritize its sovereignty. “This is a reminder that we must stand on our own, stand strong as a nation, and refuse to be taken for granted,” Musa said.
Ribadu supported Musa’s stance, stressing the importance of internal strength over external validation. “Even though it’s painful and disrespectful, we must work hard to make Nigeria work,” Ribadu stated.
Diplomatic Reactions and Expert Opinions
In response to the incident, former Nigerian Ambassador to Cameroon, Rasheed Akinkuolie, recommended summoning the Canadian High Commissioner in Nigeria to explain the visa denials. Akinkuolie emphasized the importance of routing visa applications for high-ranking officials through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with a Note Verbale.
“High officials like the CDS and service chiefs should normally hold diplomatic passports,” Akinkuolie said. He proposed that Nigeria should consider delaying Canadian visa applications in retaliation.
Similarly, retired Ambassador to Algeria, Mohammed Mabdul, condemned the visa denial as “highly undiplomatic” given the long-standing friendly relations between the two countries. “The Canadian High Commission must review what transpired,” Mabdul urged.
Calls for Caution in Diplomatic Language
However, not all stakeholders agreed with Ribadu’s choice of words. Former Nigerian Ambassador to the Philippines, Yemi Farounbi, criticized the NSA’s remarks as undiplomatic and suggested that the issue should have been handled through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“Every sovereign nation has the right to grant or deny visas,” Farounbi said, “but considering the bilateral relationship, it would have been better addressed through diplomatic channels.”
The Canadian High Commission in Nigeria has yet to issue an official response to the matter, though a representative indicated that a statement would be released soon.
This incident has stirred conversations about Nigeria’s diplomatic protocols and the need for better coordination with foreign missions. The government’s firm response underscores its commitment to protecting the dignity of its officials on the international stage.
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