The Canadian High Commission in Nigeria has confirmed that its office in Abuja, the capital city, will remain closed to the public until further notice. This announcement was made via its official X account (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, reiterating the ongoing suspension.
Services such as immigration and consular assistance will continue to be provided despite the closure. However, for urgent in-person consular assistance, limited services are temporarily available at the British High Commission in Abuja. In case of emergency, individuals can contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa for assistance.
The High Commission plays a crucial role in providing visa and immigration services for individuals interested in visiting or immigrating to Canada. Additionally, it offers various services to Canadians residing in Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, and Sao Tome and Principe, including adoption and surrogacy, birth abroad, citizenship services, marriage abroad, passport services, notarial services, studying abroad, and visa and immigration services.
The decision to suspend operations in Abuja was made in November 2023 following a tragic fire incident at the office, resulting in two fatalities and two injuries. A formal investigation by technical experts from Canada was initiated to determine the causes of the explosion.
Despite the closure of the Abuja office, the Canadian High Commission’s visa application centers in Abuja and Lagos remain operational, ensuring continued service provision to applicants.
