National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, has strongly criticized the Canadian government for denying visas to Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and other top military officers.
Speaking on Thursday at the maiden annual lecture of the National Association of the Institute for Security Studies in Abuja, Ribadu described the visa denial as “disrespectful” and declared that Canada “can go to hell.”
His reaction followed revelations from General Musa, who recounted how he and his team were denied entry into Canada despite being invited for an official engagement. The delegation was scheduled to attend an event honouring war veterans but was left in limbo after several members were refused visas.
“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,” Musa lamented.
The Chief of Defence Staff further noted that the move should serve as a wake-up call for Nigeria to reinforce its sovereignty and self-reliance.
“This is a reminder that we must stand on our own, stand strong as a nation, and refuse to be taken for granted,” he asserted.
Reacting to the development, Ribadu commended Musa for publicly addressing the issue and emphasized that Nigeria must focus on strengthening its own institutions rather than seeking validation from foreign nations.
“Thank you for the courage to say Canada denied you visas. They can go to hell,” Ribadu declared. “Even though it’s painful and disrespectful, we are peaceful, we are strong, and I agree with you—it is time to fix our country. This is yet another reason we must work hard to make Nigeria work.”
The incident has sparked discussions about the diplomatic relationship between Nigeria and Canada, raising questions about the treatment of Nigerian officials and the broader implications for international engagements.
