Visa Denial: Matawalle Urges Nigeria to Assert Its Position on Global Stage

Visa Denial: Matawalle Urges Nigeria to Assert Its Position on Global Stage

By prince Benson Davies

Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defense, Bello Matawalle, has strongly condemned Canada’s decision to deny visas to Nigerian military officers, describing it as a “serious affront” to Nigeria’s dignity.¹ Matawalle’s remarks come amid growing tensions between Nigeria and Canada over the visa denial, which has been perceived as a diplomatic insult. The minister has called for Nigeria to assert its position on the global stage in response to the incident.²

During an event in Abuja on Thursday last week, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, expressed displeasure at the Canadian High Commission for denying the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, and other army chiefs visas.

“Thank you for the courage to say Canada denied you visas. They can go to hell,” the NSA said.
In a statement by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Defense, Sunday Iyogun, Matawalle criticized the Canadian authorities for the treatment of the Nigerian delegation.

The minister said Nigeria must not take a passive stance on the development, adding that there was a need to investigate the reasons for the visa denial.
“This incident is not merely a bureaucratic oversight; it is a serious affront to our national dignity and integrity,” he started