South Africa Demands Proof
The South African government has denied claims that Nigerian singer Ayra Starr was refused entry visas, stating there is no record of such an application. The controversy has sparked calls from Nigerian officials for the government to consider reciprocal visa restrictions on South African artists.
Why it matters
The dispute highlights growing diplomatic tensions between Nigeria and South Africa regarding cultural exchange and immigration policies.
The South African government has rejected claims that Nigerian singer Ayra Starr and members of her team were denied visas into the country. The South African Consul-General to Nigeria, Prof Bobby Moroe, in an interview with Saturday PUNCH on Friday, said immigration authorities had no record of any visa application or rejection involving the singer or her team. He, however, urged those alleging that visas were denied to submit the names of the affected persons and their visa application reference numbers to enable the mission to verify the claims. The reaction came after some Nigerians, including former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, and the senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Akpoti-Uduaghan, urged the Federal Government to review visa applications submitted by S’African artistes and their entourages in line with the principle of reciprocity.
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