‘We mustn’t travel abroad’: CDS speaks on Canadian visa denial

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, says the military met all the requirements and passed through all the processes in respect of the recent visa application to Canadian High Commission.

Musa made this known in Abuja on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, when he received the Armed Forces of Nigeria Contingent who won medals at the just concluded Invictus Games in Vancouver, Canada.

The CDS said most people who made comments against Nigeria’s participation in the sporting event spoke from the point of ignorance.

He stated: “On the issue of the denial of the visa, we must not travel abroad. Nigeria is good enough for all of us.

“We had an agreement, we were invited, a programme was sent, we followed our requirements and the process.

“Everybody knows members of the armed forces will never take shortcuts. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, the NSA, everybody is aware about this journey and we followed the process.

“But for reasons best known to them, most of the teams remember, like the team captain did not go, the medical doctor was not there, the physiotherapist did not go.

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“All those that were important for the team were not given visas. And the question is why?

“Well, I’m happy that the federal government is also looking at that aspect.”

Musa said it was important for people to understand that Nigerians deserve respect across the world, adding that Nigeria must never accommodate disrespect from anybody.

He commended participants in the games for making Nigeria proud, adding that they left an indelible mark on the hearts of all who have witnessed the journey.

“You are the true embodiment of the invictus spirit, unconquered, unbroken, and unstoppable,’’ the CDS said.

The issue of visa denial by Canada has in the past week dominated the national discourse with many frowning at the action of the Canada Embassy.

The Star