Who Owes Who an Apology? Nigeria-Canada Tensions Rise Over Invictus Games Visa Denial
Abuja, Nigeria – 16 February, 2025.
A diplomatic row is brewing between Nigeria and Canada after several Nigerian military officers were denied visas to attend the Invictus Games, despite being officially invited. While some argue that Nigeria should have sent a smaller delegation, others believe Canada’s decision was unjustified and reflects a broader issue of discriminatory visa policies toward African nations.
The Invictus Games, founded by Prince Harry, honor the resilience of wounded servicemen and women, with countries worldwide participating. Given Nigeria’s formal invitation and Prince Harry’s growing ties with the Nigerian military—following his visit to the country in 2023—many see the visa refusals as an unexpected snub. The Canadian High Commission attributed the decision to an unusually high number of applications, but critics argue that similar restrictions are rarely imposed on delegations from Europe or North America.
Diplomatic Blunder or Bureaucratic Red Tape?
It is standard practice for nations to send representatives to international events like the Invictus Games, both to support their veterans and to strengthen diplomatic relationships. Other invited nations, including the U.K. and U.S., have not faced similar visa challenges. If Canada had concerns about the delegation size, some argue that diplomatic channels should have been used to address the matter rather than issuing outright visa refusals.
At the same time, Nigeria’s approach to structuring the delegation has drawn some criticism. A more balanced team of military officers, senior government officials, and diplomats might have strengthened the case for approvals. In most cases, high-ranking government officials face fewer hurdles in securing visas, and a Federal Government-led delegation would have carried more diplomatic weight.
Calls for Accountability
Some Nigerian officials have responded with frustration, with strong statements in the press condemning Canada’s decision. However, international relations experts suggest that a more strategic response—such as engaging directly with the Canadian immigration authorities and the Invictus Games Board—would have been more effective. Rather than making heated statements, Nigeria could push for greater transparency in visa approvals and ensure similar issues do not arise in the future.
Ultimately, the question remains: Was Canada’s decision a justified bureaucratic measure, or does Nigeria deserve an apology for what many see as an unfair and disrespectful denial?
Headlinenews.news will continue to follow this developing story.
