Nigeria’ s High Commissioner to Canada , Ambassador Adeyinka Asekun , says the host country is unfairly denying a lot of Nigerians visas , including students .
Asekun stated this during a webinar on Nigeria’ s 60 th Independence Anniversary organised by the mission on Thursday evening .
He expressed the hope that the issue would be addressed in the draft bilateral agreement , which both countries have been working on , for better treatment of Nigerians in that regard .
“ Canada and Nigeria have for some time been working on a draft agreement that addresses a number of areas of mutual concern to both countries .
“ It is our further hope that a video conference call may be set up next spring latest to finalise the terms of this agreement .
“ What is most important about this agreement is that it is likely to address a situation in which a lot of Nigerian citizens are being denied visas when they should actually have been granted the visas .
“ We are looking for a situation in which the process will become much fairer and much more predictable .
“ And there are provisions in this agreement which will make it possible for us to get much better treatment , ” he said .
The envoy said many Nigerians were eager to study in Canada but were denied the opportunity , adding that he hoped the situation would change when the agreement came into effect .
However , Asekun said Nigeria and Canada have shared long - lasting and mutually beneficial relationships in various areas since the former’ s Independence in 1960 .
He acknowledged the Canadian government ’ s assistance to Nigeria, including its contribution to the establishment of a laboratory in Lagos in 2014 for effective management of infectious disease following the Ebola outbreak.
The facility , according to him , has greatly helped Nigeria in the management and containment of COVID - 19 .
The Parliamentary Secretary to the Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs , Mr Rob Oliphant , said his country was host to no fewer than 11 , 000 Nigerian students .
In a goodwill message on behalf of the minister, Oliphant also highlighted the strong relationship between Nigerian and Canada .
He did not speak on the visa issue mentioned by the ambassador.
He said , “ The strong relationship between Canada and Nigeria is built on deep people - to - people ties .
“ Over 50 , 000 Canadians have Nigerian roots , some of them are my very good personal friends , and today over 11 , 000 Nigerian students are pursuing their studies in Canada .
“ They enrich Canadian universities. Of course they benefit from Canadian universities, but the benefit they bring to Canada is equal and extremely important .
“ Limited air travel does not weaken these important personal ties . In fact , it keeps us keenly looking forward to even more connection and reconnection .
“ On that note , let me again offer my personal heartfelt congratulations .
“ On behalf of the government of Canada , I wish Nigeria and its people a very happy 60 th anniversary of independence . May God bless you all. ”
NAN
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