Sahara Reporters has taken to its official X handle to announce that the Canadian High Commission in Nigeria has finally broken its silence over reports of visa denials to senior Nigerian officials, including the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa. However, while the High Commission acknowledged the media reports, it carefully avoided mentioning any specific names.
In a statement released on its official platform, the Canadian High Commission stated:
> “The High Commission of Canada in Nigeria is aware of media reports related to planned travel to Canada by senior officials. However, for privacy reasons, we are unable to provide any comment on the status of visa applications of specific individuals.”
The controversy first surfaced when Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, publicly criticized the Canadian High Commission for denying visas to General Musa and other top military officers.
According to reports by TheCable, Ribadu’s outrage followed General Musa’s revelation at the maiden annual lecture of the National Association of the Institute for Security Studies (AANISS) in Abuja. Musa disclosed that he and his team had been invited to Canada for an event honoring war veterans, but shockingly, half of the delegation was denied entry.
Every disappointment is a blessing. Yesterday, I was meant to be in Canada for an event to honor our veterans—those who were injured in battles. We were invited with our team. Half of us have gone, and half have been denied. It’s very disappointing.”
“They Can Go to Hell”—Ribadu Fumes
Reacting fiercely, NSA Nuhu Ribadu did not hold back his frustration, outrightly condemning Canada’s decision and praising General Musa for exposing the situation.
> “Thank you for the courage to say Canada denied you visas. They can go to hell.”
Ribadu went on to emphasize that despite diplomatic snubs, Nigeria remains strong and must not be undermined on the global stage.
> “We are peaceful and strong. Nigeria must work hard to overcome such challenges.”
The NSA also commended General Musa’s “purposeful leadership” in tackling Nigeria’s security threats, highlighting the ongoing collaboration among security agencies to restore peace across the country.
The visa denial has raised questions about the current state of Nigeria-Canada relations and whether this reflects a broader shift in Canada’s visa policies towards Nigerian officials. While Canada has not provided further clarification, the incident has sparked public debate on how Nigeria should respond to perceived diplomatic slights.
Is this a case of heightened security scrutiny, or could it signal deeper tensions between both nations? Only time will tell.
PIONEER NEWS 