ABUJA, Nigeria — Minister of State for Defence Bello Matawalle has condemned Canada’s denial of a visa to Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, calling it an “affront to national dignity and integrity.”
Matawalle’s reaction came in a statement issued by Sunday Iyogun, spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence, following the incident, which prevented Musa and his delegation from attending a ceremony honoring Nigerian veterans in Canada.
“This incident is not merely a bureaucratic oversight; it is a serious affront to our national dignity and integrity,” Matawalle said.
The minister called for an immediate investigation into the visa denial and urged stakeholders to work collectively to prevent a recurrence.
“Nigeria must not remain passive in the face of such disrespect,” he said. “It is imperative that the Nigerian government takes a firm diplomatic stance. If no satisfactory explanation is provided, we must be prepared to respond appropriately and assertively.”
While the reasons for the visa refusal remain unclear, Matawalle noted that the incident highlights the bureaucratic and political challenges Nigerian officials face in international engagements.
