The Federal Government and the Government of Canada have agreed to establish a joint technical working group to address persistent delays in the processing of Canadian visa applications by Nigerians and develop a framework for the removal of persons without legal status in Canada.
Mary Ali, Head of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry of Interior, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja after a meeting between Magdalene Ajani, Permanent Secretary of the ministry, and David Sproule, Chargé d’Affaires of the Canadian High Commission.
The meeting focused on concerns surrounding prolonged processing times for Canadian visas and study permits for Nigerian applicants, as well as areas of cooperation between both countries on migration management, travel facilitation and border administration.
According to the statement, the two sides also reviewed opportunities arising from the expanding Nigeria-Canada Air Transport Agreement (ATA), including the possibility of introducing direct flights between the two countries.
Ajani, who represented Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior, said delays in Canadian visa processing had continued to affect Nigerians, particularly students seeking to commence academic programmes in Canada.
Tunji-Ojo noted that some Nigerian students had been unable to travel to Canada on schedule because of delays in the issuance of their study permits, even after their visa applications had been approved.
The Minister stressed the need for both countries to address the concerns through sustained dialogue and stronger institutional cooperation.
He also urged the Canadian authorities to give the concerns of Nigerian visa applicants due and expeditious consideration, stressing the importance of improving the experience of Nigerians seeking to travel to Canada.
The meeting further examined the expansion of the Nigeria-Canada Air Transport Agreement, which is expected to pave the way for the introduction of direct flights between both countries.
Such flights would eliminate the need for passengers travelling between Nigeria and Canada to connect through Europe or the United States.
Both sides expressed optimism that the expanded air transport arrangement would strengthen commercial ties between Nigeria and Canada while making travel between the two countries more convenient for passengers.
On migration management, the discussions focused on 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.
Tunji-Ojo assured the Canadian delegation that Nigeria would designate relevant officials to engage with their Canadian counterparts and facilitate the establishment of the proposed joint technical working group.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation with Canada, particularly in the areas of immigration, travel facilitation and border management.
Responding, Sproule acknowledged the concerns raised by Nigeria over delays in visa processing, describing the issue as an important pressure point in the bilateral relationship.
He assured the Nigerian delegation that the concerns would be conveyed to the relevant Canadian immigration authorities, with the aim of improving processing times and ensuring that Nigeria receives appropriate attention within the visa-processing system.
The two sides subsequently agreed on the need to establish a small technical working group that would drive further discussions and maintain regular engagement among relevant agencies in both countries.
Sproule expressed appreciation for the openness of the Nigerian delegation during the meeting and welcomed the ministry’s commitment to strengthening institutional cooperation between Nigeria and Canada.