Nigeria and Canada Enhance Bilateral Relations on Visa Issues

Nigeria and Canada are strengthening their bilateral relations through discussions led by Dr Magdalene Ajani, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, and David Sproule, Chargé d’Affaires of the Canadian High Commission. The meeting in Abuja addressed persistent delays in Canadian visa processing for Nigerian citizens, particularly affecting students who have faced challenges in traveling to Canada for academic programs.

Dr Ajani emphasized the need for dialogue and cooperation to resolve these issues. The expansion of the Nigeria-Canada Air Transport Agreement was also discussed, aiming to facilitate direct flights and enhance commercial ties.

Additionally, migration management was a key topic, with plans to develop a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) between Nigerian authorities and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) for managing individuals without legal status in Canada. Both parties agreed to form a technical working group to maintain regular engagement and improve visa processing times.