Dalung laments UK, US denial of visa to Nigerian athletes, writes protest letter to Onyeama

Solomon Dalung, minister of youth and sports, has lamented the refusal of the UK and US to issue transit visas to Nigeria athletes for the Commonwealth Youth Games in Nassau, Bahamas.

Team Nigeria, having secured Bahamas visas, had applied to the United Kingdom for transit visas to enable the team to fly through London.

Only one athlete was issued visa out of the 26 applicants while 24 were denied and one is still pending.

The same response was received when the ministry of youth and sports applied to the US embassy.

In reaction, Dalung has written a protest letter to the minister of foreign affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, calling for a review of the policy on issuance of visas to Nigerian sportsmen and women.

He bemoaned the inability of Team Nigeria to secure transit visas despite several attempts to get the foreign affairs to intervene.

“We were made to make express payment which we did and at the end of the day, majority of our young athletes were sadly denied visas,” Dalung wrote.

“I am in pains and I have been devastated because this has serious implications on the psychology of these young people who had offered to serve their country.

“I have deposited a protest with the minister of foreign affairs against the two countries to explain to us why these young people who are sports men and women were denied mere transit visas.

“We were not asking for residence or long term visas. We just requested for airport direct airside transit visas which will only allow them remain at the airport and change aircraft for onward journey.

“We will need an explanation from these countries. It is unfortunate.”

The minister called for a review of such policies that hamper solidarity among nations.

“Ironically, we don’t have such harsh policies in Nigeria. Citizens of these countries walk into Nigeria like lords but Nigerians seeking just transit visas are treated like common criminals in these countries.

“This cannot continue. We must redefine our relationship. If it is not mutually inclusive and beneficial, then we should know where we belong.”