The Chinese Embassy in Nigeria has dismissed claims by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) that visa delays caused by Chinese authorities led to the country’s withdrawal from the 2025 World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the embassy described the AFN’s explanation as “inconsistent with the facts,” asserting that it promptly processed all visa applications once they were submitted.
According to the embassy, the National Sports Commission contacted it on April 24 through a letter dated April 22, requesting assistance with visas for Nigerian athletes participating in the international relay competition.
“The Embassy immediately engaged with the Commission and provided guidance on preparing the necessary documentation to expedite the process,” the statement said. “The China Visa Application Centre received the athletes’ application materials on May 6, and the Embassy completed the visa issuance by May 8 after activating an expedited process.”
The embassy reaffirmed its longstanding support for sports and people-to-people cooperation between Nigeria and China. It emphasized that visa issuance is a sovereign matter and, like all diplomatic missions, requires applicants to submit complete documentation and allow adequate time for processing.
While expressing regret that Nigerian athletes could not participate in the event, the embassy maintained that the AFN’s account did not reflect the true sequence of events.
“The Embassy of China in Nigeria remains committed to fostering friendly exchanges between both countries and is ready to continue supporting cooperation in areas such as sports,” the statement concluded.
Edited by Nzubechukwu Eze.
