Nigeria: Information on whether the Nigerian embassy in Canada is closed, and if so, since when and why, and information on the treatment of students, professionals, business people returning to Nigeria after a lengthy residence in Canada, and whether such individuals face any difficulties from Nigerian authorities
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 April 1997 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | NGA26574.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Nigeria: Information on whether the Nigerian embassy in Canada is closed, and if so, since when and why, and information on the treatment of students, professionals, business people returning to Nigeria after a lengthy residence in Canada, and whether such individuals face any difficulties from Nigerian authorities, 1 April 1997, NGA26574.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ab005c.html [accessed 20 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
In a 10 April 1997 interview with the DIRB, a deputy director of Political Affairs at the Ministry of External Affairs in Ottawa, stated that the High Commission for the Federal Republic of Nigeria officially closed on 13 March 1997 reportedly for "economic and budgetary reasons."
A 14 April 1997 message received by electronic mail from a specialist in Nigerian politics at the University of Transkei, in Southern Africa, stated the following: "nobody gets harassed by the government simply for the reason of having stayed abroad for a long time. Perhaps those who have been in the forefront of the anti-military struggle and are treated by the government as 'dissidents' may be harassed. But even these have to be quite notable opponents." This information could not be corroborated by sources currently available to the DIRB.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ottawa. 10 April 1997. Telephone interview with deputy director of Political Affairs.
Specialist in Nigerian politics, Transkei University, Transkei. 14 April 1997. E-mail message.
