I wonder the fate of ordinary Nigerian if Canada could deny CDS visa – Minister

• Minister Tunji-Ojo condemned Canada for denying CDS Musa a visa, deeming it disrespectful to Nigeria and worrying for the average citizen

• The Canadian High Commission cited privacy reasons for not commenting on the visa denials, amid criticism from Nigerian officials

Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has condemned the Canadian High Commission for denying the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, a visa.

General Musa revealed on Thursday during the maiden annual lecture of the National Association of the Institute for Security Studies that he and some team members were denied visas for an event in Canada honouring war veterans.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Friday, Tunji-Ojo criticized the decision, calling it disrespectful to Nigeria.

“If this can happen to the Chief of Defence Staff, what is the fate of the average Nigerian?” he questioned.

Tunji-Ojo oversees the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), responsible for visa issuance. He stressed that while migration management is a sovereign issue, reciprocity in diplomatic relations should be considered.

The minister emphasized that diplomatic channels should have been used if Canada had concerns about the visa applications. He expressed confidence that Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs would address the issue to maintain mutual respect between both nations.

When contacted for a response, officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Canadian High Commission remained largely silent. The Canadian High Commission cited privacy reasons for not commenting on specific visa applications.