The minister of state for defence, Bello Matawalle, has called for a decisive response after the Canadian High Commission denied the Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, and other top military officers visas to attend an event to honour war veterans.

Iyogun Sunday, in a statement for the ministry’s director of information and public relations on Friday, said Mr Matawalle described the High Commission’s action as disappointing, embarrassing, and a “serious affront to our national dignity and integrity.”

Mr Iyogun, in the statement, said Mr Matawalle has, in response to the diplomatic incident, urged “Nigeria to assert its position on the global stage” and warned that the High Commission’s action could jeopardise bilateral relations between both countries.

“This incident is not merely a bureaucratic oversight; it is a serious affront to our national dignity and integrity. We cannot allow our country to be treated with such disregard and levity on the international stage,” he said.

Calling for an immediate and thorough investigation into the reasons behind the visa denial, Mr Matawalle said Nigeria must respond decisively to uphold its reputation as a key player in global affairs.

“We must not remain passive in the face of such disrespect. 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.

“The denial of visas raises significant concerns regarding Canada’s treatment of Nigerian military officials and the overall state of diplomatic relations between the two nations. While the specific reasons for the visa refusals remain unclear, this incident underscores the persistent bureaucratic and political challenges that Nigerian officials encounter in international engagements.”
Mr Matawalle, therefore, reaffirmed that Nigeria is committed to maintaining its dignity and respect on the international stage and urged stakeholders to work collectively to ensure that such incidents do not recur.

The Canadian High Commission, however, stated in a post on X earlier in the day that while it is aware of the media reports regarding the planned travel of senior Nigerian officials to Canada, it cannot comment on the visa applications of specific individuals for privacy reasons.