The All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government has come under criticism after Japan denied reports suggesting plans to create special visa categories for Nigerians.
The controversy followed a statement issued on August 22 by Abiodun Oladunjoye, Director of Information at the State House, which claimed that Japanese authorities had agreed to introduce “a special visa category for highly skilled, innovative, and talented young Nigerians” to live and work in Kisarazu.
The release further suggested that artisans and blue-collar workers willing to undergo upskilling would also benefit from the arrangement.
However, Japanese officials dismissed the claim, insisting that no such agreement or plan existed.
The denial has sparked widespread criticism of the federal government, with opposition parties accusing it of misleading the public.
Reacting to the development, Bolaji Abdullahi, National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), described the incident as a calculated attempt by the APC government to manufacture favourable publicity.
“At #TICAD9, the APC Federal Government claimed that the Japanese authorities had agreed to issue ‘special visa categories’ to Nigerians.
This denial by the Japanese authorities shows that the Tinubu/APC government has become so desperate for positive headlines that they would not mind spreading fake news,” Abdullahi wrote on X.
He further stated: “The truth is, with this government, we don’t know what to believe anymore. This embarrassment just has to stop.”
The incident has raised renewed concerns about the credibility of government communications and Nigeria’s diplomatic image on the global stage.
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