Canada responds to outrage over visa denial for Nigerian Defence Chief

Following widespread outrage over the revelation that the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, was denied a Canadian visa, the Canadian High Commission in Nigeria has addressed the issue.

In a statement issued on Friday, February 14, the High Commission acknowledged the media reports regarding the visa denial but emphasized that, for privacy reasons, it would not disclose details about the visa application status of any individual.

“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.

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General Musa had revealed during a meeting that he was scheduled to travel to Canada with other senior military officers for an event honoring veterans worldwide. While some officers received their visas, he and several others faced rejection.

The denial has sparked criticism from top Nigerian officials, including the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who condemned the action as an embarrassment to Nigeria.

Reacting strongly, Ribadu stated that Canada could “go to hell” for its decision to deny the CDS a visa, further escalating diplomatic tensions between the two nations.

The incident has fueled discussions on Nigeria-Canada relations, with some analysts calling for diplomatic engagement to resolve any underlying issues.