The Embassy of China in Nigeria has pushed back against claims that visa delays were responsible for Nigerian athletes’ withdrawal from the upcoming World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou, China.
In response to reports and a public statement by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), which cited delays in visa processing as the reason for the country’s withdrawal from the event scheduled for May 10–11, the Chinese Embassy released a detailed clarification asserting that it acted swiftly and professionally to facilitate the process.
According to the Embassy, it received a formal request for visa support from Nigeria’s National Sports Commission on April 24—two weeks before the competition—following a letter dated April 22. The embassy stated that it immediately communicated with the Commission and provided guidance on required documentation.
The visa application materials were submitted to the China Visa Application Centre on May 6, the embassy noted. In response, it activated expedited procedures and completed visa issuance by May 8, just two days later.
“The Embassy of China in Nigeria has always actively supported people-to-people and sports cooperation between the two countries,” the statement read. “We have consistently assisted Nigerian citizens in visa applications in an efficient and professional manner.”
The Embassy also underscored that visa issuance is a matter of national sovereignty and requires applicants to follow standard procedures and timelines. It described the AFN’s statement as “clearly inconsistent with the facts.”
Despite the incident, the Chinese mission reiterated its commitment to promoting sports and cultural exchange between the two nations, expressing regret over the athletes’ absence from the competition.
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria has yet to respond to the Chinese Embassy’s rebuttal.
