The Federal Government, yesterday, described as discriminatory and capable of undermining the spirit of the Commonwealth family, the proposed new UK visa policy requesting visitors from Nigeria to post a £3,000 bond before entering the UK.
The Nigerian government has, therefore, asked the British government to reconsider the proposed policy, saying it is incompatible with the strong and cordial relations built over the years between the UK and Nigeria.
The Federal Government also assured its British counterpart that it has a responsibility to take appropriate measures to protect the interest of Nigerians who might be affected by the proposed policy, if finally introduced.
The Senate on its part rejected the policy and threatened to push same treatment for UK citizens travelling to Nigeria if the UK government goes ahead with the visa policy.
The British High Commission in Nigeria has, however, clarified that no final decision has been made on the matter. British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr Andrew Pocok, made the clarification when he honoured the summons on him by Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, to express Nigeria’s displeasure over the proposed visa bond of £3,000 for intending visitors to UK from Nigeria.
At the end the closed door meeting, which lasted for several hours in the ministry, the British envoy clarified that the policy had not reached the stage of implementation.
A statement from the ministry, signed by its spokesman, Ogbole Ode, confirming the meeting, said: “At the meeting which was held at the Tafawa Balewa House, the minister expressed strong displeasure of the government and people of Nigeria over the policy, which he described as not only discriminatory but also capable of undermining the spirit of the Commonwealth family.
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