Abuja, February 15, 2025 – Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has reaffirmed Canada’s position as one of Nigeria’s strongest allies.
He acknowledged Canada’s role in accommodating thousands of Nigerians and providing them with opportunities for education, employment, and a better life.
In a Twitter statement on February 14, 2025, Sani praised Canada for supporting Nigerians who seek to rebuild their future, Diaspora digital media (DDM) reported.
His comments followed reports that Canada recently denied visas to some of Nigeria’s top military officers.
Sani described the visa denial as unfortunate but insisted it should not overshadow the strong relationship between Nigeria and Canada.
He emphasized that Canada has been instrumental in assisting Nigerians, with many citizens living, studying, and working there.
According to Sani, Canada’s policies have helped Nigerians contribute to both the Canadian economy and their families back home.
“The incident of denying our service chiefs visas is unfortunate,” Sani stated.
“Our military and service chiefs are doing a good job defending our country from terrorists,” he added.
He urged the Nigerian government to handle the matter diplomatically to prevent unnecessary tension between Nigeria and Canada.
Sani defended Nigeria’s military leadership, commending the service chiefs for their dedication to national security.
He warned against escalating the visa issue, stressing the importance of a responsible and diplomatic approach.
Despite the controversy, Sani reaffirmed that Canada remains a welcoming destination for Nigerians seeking education and employment.
He pointed out that Nigeria and Canada share long-standing ties that should not be affected by this incident.
Sani expressed confidence that diplomatic discussions could resolve the matter peacefully.
He urged both nations to strengthen their partnership rather than allow this issue to create unnecessary division.
Canada has historically maintained close ties with Nigeria, with thousands of Nigerians thriving in various sectors there.
Sani believes that this visa issue should not define the overall relationship between Nigeria and Canada.
Observers remain hopeful that diplomatic efforts will lead to a resolution, reinforcing the friendship between both nations.