The Diplomatic Storm: What Happened?
Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and a delegation of senior military officers were denied visas by Canada to attend the Invictus Winter Games in Vancouver—an event honoring war veterans injured in battle. Half the delegation received visas; the other half, including Musa, were abruptly rejected. The snub sparked outrage, with Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, declaring, “Canada can go to hell.”
Canada’s response? Silence. The High Commission cited privacy laws, refusing to explain the denials. This incident comes weeks after Canada tightened immigration rules, empowering officers to cancel visas for security concerns, eligibility doubts, or inconsistencies in applications.
The Proposed Trip: Symbolism vs. Substance
The Invictus Games, founded by Prince Harry, aim to uplift wounded veterans through sports. For Nigeria, participation was symbolic: a chance to honor soldiers injured in battles against Boko Haram and bandits. But critics argue the trip’s actual benefits for Nigeria’s security are murky. Prof. Chidi Odinkalu criticized the outrage over visa denial by the Canadian Embassy, questioning the rationale behind sending over 70 military personnel to the Invictus Winter Games amid Nigeria’s insecurity, and mocking the idea of Nigeria participating in winter sports. He also expressed disappointment over the government’s handling of the situation on his X page.
How does anyone justify a delegation of over 70 officers led by the CDS to #InvictusWinterGames? When did #Nigeria start doing winter?
Prof. Odinkalu
Key Questions Raised:
Diplomatic Signaling: Was this a goodwill gesture or a quest for Western validation? Nigeria’s military has long sought international partnerships, but critics question whether such trips address systemic issues like corruption or underfunded troops.
Security Gains: Would attending the Games improve Nigeria’s counterterrorism strategies? Unlikely. While morale-building matters, Nigeria’s security crisis demands local solutions, not foreign applause.
Why Did Canada Say No? Theories and Tensions
Canada’s silence fuels speculation. Let’s dissect possible reasons:
New Immigration Policies: Since January 2025, Canada can revoke visas if applicants pose security risks, provide false information, or are unlikely to leave post-visit. Could incomplete paperwork or red flags in the officers’ profiles have triggered the denial?
Bureaucratic Errors: A Nigerian government source hinted at “diplomatic errors” by desk officers handling the applications. If true, this reflects systemic inefficiencies in Nigeria’s bureaucratic processes, a problem plaguing its institutions.
Security Concerns: Nigeria’s military has faced global criticism for civilian bombings and struggles to curb terrorism, such as the 2015 Zaria massacre, where over 350 Shi’a Muslims were killed. Additionally, a mistaken military drone attack in December 2023 resulted in the deaths of at least 85 civilians in Kaduna State. These events may have influenced Canada’s decision, viewing the delegation as potentially linked to human rights violations or instability.
Could Canada view the delegation as linked to human rights violations or instability?
Nigeria’s Military & Diplomatic Reputation: A Troubled History
Nigeria has a strong history of participating in UN and AU peacekeeping missions in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Sudan, and Mali. However, its recent domestic record is tainted by excessive force and civilian casualties.
- The Zaria Massacre (2015): Over 300 Shi’ite Muslims killed in a military clash.
- Lekki Toll Gate Shooting (2020): Excessive force used against EndSARS protesters.
- Kaduna Drone Strike (2023): A military operation mistakenly killed 85 civilians in Tudun Biri village.
Nigeria’s military has been called out for its lack of precision and accountability, and these repeated incidents could be a key reason Canada refused visas to senior officials.
Nigeria’s Reaction: Anger, Pride, and a Call to Action
The denial has united Nigeria’s leaders in rare agreement:
“Disrespectful to Our Dignity”: Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo called the snub an insult to the nation, questioning how ordinary Nigerians are treated if even top officials face hurdles.
Sovereignty Over Validation: General Musa framed the incident as a “wake-up call” for Nigeria to reduce dependency on foreign approval and prioritize self-reliance.
Diplomatic Reciprocity: Some officials hinted at retaliatory visa restrictions for Canadians, though Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar seeks dialogue.
The Bigger Picture: Canada’s Visa Crackdown & Nigeria’s Global Standing
Canada has become more restrictive with visas, especially for government officials from countries with human rights concerns. Stricter screening for potential security risks. More power to cancel visas over past misconduct.
Stark Contrasts: How Other Nations Handle Diplomatic Snubs
China’s Response to U.S. Sanctions: When the U.S. imposed visa bans on Chinese officials, Beijing retaliated with bans on American officials and trade restrictions.
UAE vs. Nigeria (2022): The UAE banned all Nigerians from obtaining visas due to fraud concerns, and Nigeria failed to negotiate effectively, leaving thousands stranded. Meanwhile, UAE restored ties with India and China quickly because those nations used economic leverage.
Key Takeaways for Nigeria & The Diaspora
- Strengthen Domestic Policies
- Rebuild trust in Nigeria’s institutions to reduce dependency on Western validation.
- Invest in intelligence gathering to prevent repeated military errors.
- Hold corrupt officials accountable to improve international credibility.
- Develop a Stronger Foreign Policy Strategy
- Stop relying on emotional responses. Instead of Ribadu saying “Canada can go to hell,” Nigeria should issue a diplomatic challenge with facts, not outrage.
- Increase regional alliances with BRICS, the AU, and Global South partners to reduce reliance on the West.
- Self-Reliance and Economic Empowerment
- Enhance local military production: Nigeria still relies heavily on imported weapons.
- Fix visa-free travel reputation: Economic reforms could improve Nigeria’s global mobility score.
- Your Thoughts?
Is Canada justified in denying visas, or is this a diplomatic insult?
Should Nigeria retaliate with visa bans for Canadian officials?
How can Nigeria truly become self-reliant instead of reacting to Western decisions?
Let’s discuss.
The Canada Visa denial for the Nigerian military personnel can be traced to various reasons ranging from poor human rights records of our military, Nigerian dwindling diplomatic relations with the West after the outcome of the 2023 presidential elections, our weak institutions particularly-The Judiciary and INEC and the un- professional manner in which the Nigerian military relates with the executive branch of government and the Nigerian people.
The best way to go about this current embarrassment is for the mitary to act professionally by improving on its human rights records and rules of engagement with the Nigerian people, pledge their allegiance to the constitution and not to the executive arm of government. Our diplomatic missions home and abroad should be staffed with seasoned diplomats instead of political appointees.
Nigeria cannot gain any meaningful grounds in this situation by relying on unprofessional comments from Nuhu Ribadu, the NSA and other government officials Subsequently, future contingent to any international event, must be pruned down considerably to a barest minimum.Such a trip should be cost effective and result oriented.
We can only negotiate from the point of strength by engaging the Canadian embassy constructively but not by reciprocity as is being insinuated by the government or some top government officials. Nigeria cannot be ignored by the West if we play our cards resposibly.