The Nigerian government has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the Canadian embassy's decision to deny visas to its military officers, including the Chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher Musa, and other senior army officials. The move has sparked tensions between the two nations, with Nigeria's National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, publicly criticizing the Canadian embassy and stating that Canada "can go to hell."

The incident occurred when General Musa and his colleagues were invited to attend an event in Canada to honor veterans injured in battle. However, while half of the team received visas, the other half, including the CDS, were denied. General Musa shared his disappointment, saying, "Every disappointment is a blessing, yesterday, I was meant to be in Canada for an event to honour our veterans—those injured in battle. We were invited along with our team, but while half of us got visas, the other half was denied. It’s very disappointing."

Ribadu, unable to conceal his displeasure, commended the CDS for speaking out about the incident, saying, "Thank you for the courage to say Canada denied you visas. They can go to hell." The NSA noted that the incident was "painful" and "disrespectful," but emphasized the need for Nigeria to focus on its own development, stating, "Yet, this is another reason we work hard to make Nigeria work."

The denial of visas is believed to be linked to Canada's introduction of new immigration regulations aimed at bolstering border security and maintaining the integrity of visa programs. The regulations, which came into effect on January 31, 2025, grant immigration officers the authority to cancel temporary resident documents, including eTAs, TRVs, and work and study permits, under specific circumstances.

According to the Canadian government website, the reasons for cancellation may include a change in the person's status or circumstances making them ineligible or inadmissible, failure to convince the officer that the individual will leave Canada by the end of their authorized stay, or the loss, theft, destruction, or abandonment of the visa document. The regulations are designed to reduce security risks and ensure that only eligible individuals remain in the country.

The incident has sparked concerns about the impact of Canada's new immigration regulations on international relations and cooperation. As Nigeria and Canada navigate this diplomatic issue, it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold and what implications it may have for future collaborations between the two nations.

In the broader context, this incident highlights the complexities of international relations and the need for nations to balance their security concerns with the importance of diplomacy and cooperation. As the global landscape continues to evolve, it is crucial for nations to engage in open and respectful dialogue to address their differences and work towards mutually beneficial outcomes.