China has pushed back against claims of visa-related delays after Nigeria’s sudden withdrawal from the 2025 World Athletics Relays, insisting it processed travel documents swiftly once approached, just days before the event.
In an official statement on Saturday, the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria addressed rising concerns over the last-minute exit of the Nigerian athletics team from the international relay tournament scheduled for May 10–11 in Guangzhou. While the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) had cited visa issues as the reason for the withdrawal, the Chinese government said the request for support only came two weeks before the competition and visa applications were submitted just four days prior.
Embassy officials said they received a formal request on April 24 and provided guidance to Nigeria’s National Sports Commission to expedite documentation. The athletes reportedly submitted their paperwork on May 6, prompting the embassy to fast-track processing. Visas, they said, were ready by May 8, just 48 hours before the event.
Describing AFN’s narrative as “inconsistent with the facts,” the embassy emphasised that all embassies require proper documentation and lead time for visa issuance, noting that their efforts aligned with international best practices.
While expressing disappointment over Nigeria’s absence from the event, China reiterated its commitment to strengthening bilateral sports ties and welcomed future collaboration, but stressed that visa compliance remains a matter of national sovereignty.
