National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, has strongly criticized the Canadian embassy for denying visas to Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, and other senior military officers. The incident, which prevented the officials from attending a scheduled event in Canada, has sparked outrage within Nigeria’s security and diplomatic circles.
Speaking at the maiden annual lecture of the National Association of the Institute for Security Studies (AANISS) in Abuja on Thursday, Ribadu expressed his displeasure over the visa refusal, declaring that Canada “can go to hell.” His remarks followed an earlier statement by General Musa, who revealed that he and his team had been invited to Canada for a military event to honour injured war veterans, but only half of the delegation was granted visas.
“Every disappointment is a blessing. Yesterday, I was meant to be in Canada. There’s an event to honour our veterans, those that were injured during battles, and we were meant to be there,” Musa stated. “We were invited with our team. Half has gone and half has been denied. It’s very disappointing.”
The Defence Chief described the denial as a stark reminder that Nigeria must strengthen its own institutions and demand greater respect from the international community. “We must stand on our own, stand strong as a nation and should no longer be taken for granted,” he asserted.
In his response, Ribadu did not hold back his frustrations, commending General Musa for openly addressing the issue. “Thank you for the courage to say Canada denied you visas. They can go to hell,” Ribadu said.
“Even though it’s painful, it’s disrespectful, but we are peaceful and strong, and I agree with you that it is time to fix our country. Yet, this is another reason we work hard to make Nigeria work,” the NSA added.
The visa denial has raised concerns about Nigeria’s diplomatic relations with Canada, particularly regarding the treatment of high-ranking government and military officials. While the Canadian embassy has not publicly commented on the matter, it is not the first time Nigerian officials have faced visa restrictions from Western countries, often leading to diplomatic tensions.
Ribadu, a former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and retired Assistant Inspector General of Police, has been an advocate for stronger national security and governance reforms. Since his appointment as NSA by President Bola Tinubu in 2023, he has emphasized the need for inter-agency collaboration in addressing Nigeria’s security challenges.
In his speech, Ribadu also praised the CDS for his leadership in Nigeria’s fight against insurgency, banditry, and other security threats. He highlighted ongoing efforts by the government to strengthen national security and ensure greater respect for Nigeria on the global stage.
The controversy surrounding the visa denial is expected to reignite discussions on Nigeria’s foreign policy and the need for stronger diplomatic engagements to prevent similar incidents in the future.
