Nigeria’s National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu has strongly condemned Canada’s decision to deny visas to several top Nigerian military officials, including Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa, calling the move “disrespectful” and declaring that Canada “can go to hell.”
Speaking at the inaugural annual lecture of the National Association of the Institute for Security Studies in Abuja on Thursday, Ribadu’s comments came after General Musa revealed that he and several senior officers were denied entry to Canada for an event honouring war veterans.
“Yesterday, I was meant to be in Canada for an event to honour our veterans—those injured in battle,” Musa explained during the lecture. “While half of our delegation received visas, the other half was denied. It’s very disappointing.” The Chief of Defence Staff described the situation as a wake-up call for Nigeria to strengthen its sovereignty.
Musa noted the need for national self-reliance, stating, “This is a reminder that we must stand on our own, stand strong as a nation, and refuse to be taken for granted.”
Ribadu praised General Musa’s public disclosure of the incident and echoed his sentiments about national independence. “Thank you for the courage to say Canada denied you visas,” the National Security Adviser said. “Even though it’s painful and disrespectful, we are peaceful, we are strong… it is time to fix our country. This is yet another reason we must work hard to make Nigeria work.”
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