The Federal Government has called for stronger cooperation with Canada to address prolonged visa processing delays affecting Nigerians and to deepen collaboration in migration management, air transport, and other areas of bilateral interest. The call was made by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, during a courtesy visit by the Chargé d’Affaires of the Canadian High Commission, David Sproule, and his delegation in Abuja.
Visa Delays Affecting Nigerian Students
Dr. Ajani, who represented the Minister of Interior, highlighted that prolonged delays in processing Canadian visas have had a significant impact on Nigerians, particularly students seeking to begin academic programmes in Canada. She noted that some Nigerian students, despite having their visa applications approved, have been unable to travel to Canada on time due to delays in the issuance of study permits.
According to her, this situation requires sustained dialogue and stronger institutional cooperation between both countries to improve the visa-processing experience for Nigerians. The Permanent Secretary’s remarks underscore the urgency of resolving these bottlenecks to facilitate smoother travel for students and other applicants.
Expanding Air Transport Agreement
The meeting also focused on the expansion of the Nigeria-Canada Air Transport Agreement (ATA), which is expected to pave the way for direct flights between the two countries. The proposed direct air links are anticipated to eliminate the need for passengers travelling between Nigeria and Canada to connect through Europe or the United States, significantly reducing travel time and enhancing convenience.
Both countries expressed optimism that the expanded agreement would strengthen commercial relations, improve travel convenience, and deepen people-to-people ties. The move is seen as a step forward in fostering closer economic and social connections between Nigeria and Canada.
Migration Management and Joint Working Group
The two sides also discussed migration management, particularly the development of a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) between Nigerian authorities and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) for the removal of persons without legal status in Canada. This discussion is part of broader efforts to manage migration effectively while respecting the rights of individuals.
Dr. Ajani assured the Canadian delegation that Nigeria would designate relevant officials to engage their Canadian counterparts and facilitate the establishment of a joint working group to advance these processes. The working group is expected to drive discussions on the issues raised and maintain regular engagement among relevant agencies.
In response, Mr. Sproule acknowledged the concerns over visa processing delays, describing the issue as an important pressure point in the bilateral relationship between Nigeria and Canada. He assured the Nigerian government that these concerns would be communicated to the relevant Canadian immigration authorities, with a view to improving processing times and ensuring that Nigeria receives appropriate attention within the visa-processing system.
Mr. Sproule expressed appreciation for the openness of the Nigerian side and welcomed the Ministry of Interior’s commitment to strengthening institutional cooperation. Both countries agreed to establish a small technical working group to maintain momentum on these discussions.
Commitment to Stronger Ties
In her closing remarks, Dr. Ajani reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to deepening cooperation with Canada on immigration, travel facilitation, and border management. She also urged Canadian authorities to give the concerns of Nigerian visa applicants due and expeditious consideration.
The meeting marks a significant step in addressing long-standing challenges in Nigeria-Canada relations, with concrete actions planned to improve visa processing times and expand air connectivity, benefiting thousands of Nigerians who travel to Canada for education, business, and family reasons.
