Nigeria, Canada partner to fast-track visas, direct flights, and bilateral ties

…..deliberations also focused on finalising the Nigeria-Canada Air Transport Agreement (ATA)

Nigeria and Canada have resolved to deepen bilateral cooperation to eliminate persistent delays in Canadian visa processing for Nigerian citizens, as well as finalise a direct air travel framework between both nations.

The agreement followed high-level discussions in Abuja between officials of the Federal Ministry of Interior and a Canadian delegation led by David Sproule, Charge d’Affaires of the Canadian High Commission.

Addressing the Canadian delegation on behalf of the Minister of Interior, Magdalene Ajani, permanent secretary, highlighted the severe impact of prolonged visa processing times on Nigerian travellers, particularly students.

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According to Ajani, numerous Nigerian students have faced missed academic sessions due to delays in study permit issuance, despite having secured preliminary application approvals.

She emphasised that sustained dialogue and stronger institutional frameworks are critical to resolving these administrative bottlenecks.

The deliberations also focused on finalising the Nigeria-Canada Air Transport Agreement (ATA). Once fully operational, the framework will establish direct flights between the two countries, bypassing transit hubs in Europe and the United States, thereby significantly reducing travel time and boosting commercial exchange.

Additionally, both parties addressed migration management frameworks, agreeing to establish a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) alongside the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) regarding the deportation of individuals lacking legal status in Canada.

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To drive these initiatives, Nigeria will designate a dedicated team to form a joint technical working group with Canadian authorities.

Acknowledging the friction caused by application backlogs, David Sproule described the delays as a critical pressure point in bilateral relations. He assured the Nigerian government that these concerns would be escalated to Canadian immigration authorities to optimise processing timelines and prioritise high-volume channels from Nigeria.

Both governments reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining regular engagements through the newly established technical working group to oversee the execution of these strategic agreements.