Nigeria and Canada have stepped up efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation on migration management, air transport, visa processing and border administration.
The renewed commitment was made during a meeting between the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, and the Chargé d’Affaires of the Canadian High Commission, David Sproule, in Abuja.
Ajani, who represented the Minister of Interior, said the Federal Government was committed to closer engagement with Canada in areas of mutual interest, particularly immigration, travel facilitation and border management.
The meeting also brought to the fore concerns over delays in the processing of Canadian visa applications by Nigerians, including students seeking to begin academic programmes in Canada.
The Head of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry of Interior, Mary Ali, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday.
According to Ajani, prolonged visa processing times have affected many Nigerian applicants, with some students unable to travel to Canada in time to commence their studies because of delays in the issuance of study permits.
She called for sustained dialogue and improved institutional collaboration between both countries to address the challenges.
Also discussed was the expanding Nigeria-Canada Air Transport Agreement, which is expected to create opportunities for direct flights between the two countries.
The introduction of direct air services would reduce the need for travellers to transit through Europe or the United States, while strengthening trade and commercial relations between Nigeria and Canada.
On migration, both countries considered the development of a Standard Operating Procedure between Nigerian authorities and the Canada Border Services Agency for the management and removal of persons without legal status in Canada.
Ajani assured the Canadian delegation that relevant Nigerian officials would be designated to work with their Canadian counterparts, including through the establishment of a joint working group.
Responding, Sproule acknowledged Nigeria's concerns over visa processing delays and described the issue as a significant aspect of the bilateral relationship.
He assured that the concerns would be communicated to relevant Canadian immigration authorities with the aim of improving processing timelines and ensuring greater attention to Nigerian applications.
The two countries subsequently agreed to establish a small technical working group to sustain discussions and promote regular engagement among relevant agencies.
Sproule commended the Nigerian government for its openness and commitment to strengthening institutional cooperation.
Ajani thanked the Canadian delegation for the visit and reiterated Nigeria's readiness to deepen its partnership with Canada, while urging Canadian authorities to give Nigerian visa applicants prompt and due consideration.