Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has condemned Canada’s denial of visas to top military chiefs, calling it an “affront” to national dignity. He urged an investigation into the matter and warned that Nigeria must respond assertively if no valid explanation is provided by Canadian authorities.
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has strongly criticized the Canadian government for denying visas to top Nigerian military officials, calling it an “affront” to the country’s dignity.
The controversy erupted after Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), and other senior military officers were refused visas to attend a veterans’ event in Canada. National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu expressed his disappointment over the decision during a gathering in Abuja on Thursday. The incident sparked reactions both online and offline, with many questioning Canada’s stance.
In response, the Canadian High Commission in Nigeria declined to provide details about the visa rejections. However, the Ministry of Defence stated spokesperson Sunday Iyogun on Saturday, in which Matawalle called for a thorough investigation into the matter. He emphasized that Nigeria should not remain passive in the face of such treatment.
“This is not a simple bureaucratic issue but a direct challenge to our national integrity,” Matawalle stated. “If Canada fails to offer a valid explanation, Nigeria must take appropriate action.”
His remarks have fueled discussions on Nigeria’s diplomatic relations with Canada and whether retaliatory measures should be considered. The federal government is expected to engage further with Canadian authorities to seek clarity on the issue.
