Story by: Belinda Nketia
The Canadian Embassy’s decision to deny visas to Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, from attending a scheduled event in Canada to honor war veterans, has been sharply criticized by Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu.
Speaking at the inaugural annual lecture of the National Association of the Institute for Security Studies (AANISS) in Abuja on Thursday February 13 2025, Ribadu condemned the action as “painful” and “disrespectful,” expressing his strong disapproval of Canada’s diplomatic stance. He remarked, “Thank you for having the courage to acknowledge that Canada denied you visas. They can go to hell,” directing his frustration towards the Canadian government.
General Musa, in his address, shared the disappointing news with the audience, explaining how half of his delegation received their visas while the other half was left stranded. The delegation had been invited to Canada for an event to honour Nigerian war veterans, particularly those who were injured in combat. “Yesterday, I was supposed to be in Canada for an event celebrating our veterans… It’s very disappointing,” Musa said, emphasizing that the visa denial left some members of the delegation in limbo.
Despite the setback, Musa remained resilient, viewing the situation as a reminder of the importance of Nigeria standing firm and strengthening its sovereignty. “Every disappointment is a blessing,” Musa remarked, noting that this experience was a wake-up call for Nigeria to ensure it is not easily taken for granted on the international stage.
Ribadu echoed this sentiment, urging the country to shift its focus towards self-reliance and national development. “It’s painful and disrespectful, but we remain peaceful, we are strong, and I agree with you that it is time to rebuild our country,” Ribadu stated.
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