The Chinese Embassy in Nigeria has dismissed claims by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) that visa delays on its part caused the country’s withdrawal from the 2025 World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou, China. In a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja, the Embassy described the AFN’s accusations as “inconsistent with the facts,” and provided a detailed timeline of the visa application process to support its position. The AFN had announced Nigeria’s withdrawal from the global athletics event—scheduled for May 10–11—citing unacceptable delays in visa processing by Chinese authorities. According to the federation, efforts to secure travel documents began in February, but visa approvals were not received in time for the team to travel. However, the Chinese Embassy offered a counter-narrative, stating that the athletes’ visa applications were only formally submitted on May 6—just four days before the competition. “On April 24, the Embassy received a letter from Nigeria’s National Sports Commission, dated April 22, requesting visa assistance for athletes traveling to China,” the statement read. “In response, the Embassy promptly engaged with the Commission, offering guidance on document preparation to expedite the process. The China Visa Application Centre received the applications on May 6, and the Embassy activated expedited processing, completing the issuance of visas by May 8.” The Embassy stressed that it has consistently supported cultural and sports exchanges with Nigeria, adding that it acted swiftly to assist the Nigerian delegation despite the late submission. “Visa issuance is a matter of national sovereignty. Like all embassies, we require proper documentation and reasonable processing time. We regret that the Nigerian athletes could not participate in the relays this time, but the AFN’s statement does not reflect the true sequence of events,” it stated. Despite the diplomatic disagreement, the Chinese Embassy reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening sports diplomacy with Nigeria and promised continued support for bilateral cooperation in various sectors. The AFN had earlier expressed disappointment over the missed opportunity, saying its efforts to secure visas since February had been frustrated, ultimately affecting the athletes’ ability to travel and compete.
Chinese Embassy Denies Blame Over Visa Delays for Nigerian Athletes
