Red List: NANS gives UK Mission in Nigeria 72 hours to rescind decision

The National Association of Nigerian Students has given the United Kingdom Mission in Nigeria 72 hours to rescind its decision to pause issuance and processing of visas to Nigerians over the discovery of COVID-19 Omicron variant.

NANS gave the ultimatum during its protest at the British Deputy High Commission in Victoria Island, Lagos on Tuesday.

“If there is an absence of solutions in the next 72 hours, NANS will have no other choice but to shut down the activities of British and Canadian missions across Nigeria,” NANS said at the protest.

Following the discovery of new COVID-19 variant, the British Government put Nigeria and other selected African countries on its red list.

The variant was discovered recently in South Africa and has since then been found in 38 other countries, including France, Germany, Netherlands, Portugal and Australia.

Kehinde Damilola, Chairman, NANS, Ogun State Chapter, told the News Agency of Nigeria during the protest that the association was displeased with the decision of the British Government to place a ban on travels from Nigeria.

According to him, the decision is pure racism and an attempt to intimidate African countries, particularly Nigeria.

Damilola said: “We have come to say enough is enough with the treatment Nigeria constantly receives from Europe.

“The narrative has to change because Nigerians are not a symbol of havoc or hazard.

“This decision will affect not only visitors but also our international students who are studying in the UK.

“The omicron variant did not emanate from Nigeria, neither do we have up to a dozen cases so why should we be punished for it even over other European countries?”

The student leader urged urged the British Mission in Nigeria to look into the situation without delay, adding that the exorbitant quarantine fee for students and visitors should also be revoked.

Also, Adegboye Olatunji, NANS South West Coordinator, said that COVID-19 was not an African virus neither was the new variant, Omicron.

Olatunji said; “Placing a ban on only African members of the Commonwealth is not right.

“We should be thinking of solutions on how to eradicate the virus and vaccinate Africans instead of coming up with red lists.

“We have thousands of students studying in the UK who have plans of returning to Nigeria for the festive season, but their plans have been cut short.

“We are not here to fight anyone neither are we here to cause havoc.”

Olatunji added that NANS was ready to take the mantle to fight relentlessly for Nigerians studying abroad.

NAN reports that policemen and other security agents were on ground at the British Deputy High Commission to prevent any security breech.

Speaking with NAN, an official of the British Mission, who did not disclose his name, said that audiovisual recording of the protest had been forwarded to appropriate authorities to address the issue.

He said: “We will be relating happenings to the Deputy Head of Mission who will in turn make calls to London.

“That is where we are going to take it from because we can’t make instant decisions.”