…..Says We Will Take It Up
By Olumide Akinrinlola
TORONTO, CANADA — In a development that has sparked intense debate across the global diaspora, the Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has vowed to officially challenge the Canadian High Commission following the mass denial of entry visas to Nigerian state governors and senior government officials.
The diplomatic friction emerged during the opening of the maiden Nigeria Diaspora Economic Conference (NiDEC 2026) in the Greater Toronto Area. The summit, themed “Invest Nigeria; Thrive Abroad,” was intended to channel significant diaspora capital into Nigerian infrastructure. However, the event was overshadowed by the absence of key state executives who were blocked from entry by Canadian immigration authorities.
Visibly frustrated, Dabiri-Erewa addressed the assembly of diaspora investors, community leaders, and international delegates, confirming that several state leaders, including the Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, were denied visas. “It is unacceptable that leaders coming to build economic bridges are treated this way,” a source close to the organisers stated. Dabiri-Erewa has promised to raise the matter directly with the Canadian authorities through official diplomatic channels to ensure such incidents do not recur. For many in attendance, her firm stance was viewed as a robust defence of national standing.
Despite the restrictions, the conference highlighted the resilience of Nigerian enterprise. While some governors were unable to attend, those who secured entry maintained the event’s momentum. Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State captivated investors with a presentation on structural reforms designed to position his state as a high-yield destination for foreign capital. Similarly, Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State actively engaged the diaspora by highlighting significant investment potential in solid minerals and agricultural value chains.
Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, also addressed the gathering, reassuring attendees that the federal government is working systematically to eliminate the bureaucratic hurdles that have historically hindered diaspora investment.
The incident has generated significant support for Dabiri-Erewa’s promised intervention. Many Nigerians have long criticised the stringent and often unpredictable visa policies of Western nations. A senior federal official publicly demanding accountability regarding the treatment of Nigerian delegates has resonated as a significant assertion of national dignity.
The consensus at the Toronto summit remains that, despite diplomatic obstacles, the economic ties between the Nigerian diaspora and the home front remain robust.
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