Christopher Musa, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), has declared that Nigeria will not tolerate disrespect from any nation, insisting that the country deserves recognition and fair treatment on the global stage.
Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday, Musa addressed the controversy surrounding the denial of visas to several Nigerian military personnel scheduled to participate in the 2025 Invictus Games in Vancouver, Canada.
Dismissing reports that the Nigerian Armed Forces were not invited to the prestigious event founded by the Duke of Sussex, Musa confirmed that the Federal Government is actively working to resolve the visa issue.
“On the issue of the visa denial, it must be tackled on all fronts, and I am happy the Federal Government is taking up the matter,” he said. According to the CDS, the Nigerian military adhered to all necessary protocols, with the support of top government officials, including the Ministers of Defence, Foreign Affairs and the National Security Adviser (NSA).
He added that despite this, key team members – including the team captain, medical doctor, and physiotherapist – were denied entry. “We followed all the necessary processes, but for reasons best known to them, most of our team members were denied visas. Why?” he questioned.
Musa stressed that Nigeria would not accept any form of disrespect or discrimination and called for mutual respect between nations. Despite the visa setbacks, 15 wounded Nigerian military personnel who attended the Invictus Games returned to the country on Wednesday with six medals.
They were received at the Defence Headquarters by Musa and other senior military officials. Commending the team’s resilience, Musa assured that injured personnel would not be neglected and pledged continued support for their rehabilitation.
“Your courage and determination have left an indelible mark. You are true embodiments of the Nigerian spirit—unconquered, unbroken, and unstoppable,” he said, promising to boost troop morale at any cost.
Nanjul Kumzhi, Director of Sports at the Defence Headquarters, highlighted that Nigeria remains the first and only African nation to participate in the Invictus Games and confirmed the country’s intention to compete in the 2027 edition in Birmingham.
Kumzhi expressed disappointment over the visa denials by the Canadian High Commission in Abuja, revealing that only 14 of the 25-man team received visas. “Despite the challenges, the team secured gold, silver, and bronze medals across multiple categories.
“Despite the unfair treatment by the embassy, we came home with six medals during the games,” Kumzhi stated. The Invictus Games, founded in 2014 by Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, is an international sporting event that celebrates the resilience of wounded, injured, and sick service personnel and veterans.
The Duke, who visited Nigeria in 2024, was inspired to launch the games after attending the Warrior Games in the United States. Musa reaffirmed the military’s stance against any actions perceived as undermining the country’s dignity on the international stage.
English (US) ·