Hundreds of prospective travellers to India, for various reasons, have decried undue delay or denial of visas by the Indian High Commission in Abuja.
Most of the applicants said they had paid a non-refundable fee of N104, 000 each and submitted relevant documents to justify the trip, but were either kept in suspense or denied visas, after needless delay.
Among the applicants are lecturers or instructors in various universities and polytechnics in Nigeria who want to go to India for postgraduate studies.
While some of them would be funded by the institutions where they teach, others secured scholarship from the Indian government.
Others were also granted 25 per cent, 50 per cent, 75 per cent or 100 per cent scholarship by some universities in India, with a caveat that they would process their visas here in Nigeria. This is where the problem lies as embassy officials are not forthcoming.
Some patients who have secured appointments in hospitals in India are also finding it tough getting visas to embark on the trip as some of them wait for six month and above without hope.
Diplomatic Info reports that India is one of the destinations of choice for many Nigerians seeking knowledge and medical attention.
“I am yet to come to terms with why the embassy is not willing to give me a visa after I fulfilled all the requirements.
“I got a 100 per cent scholarship from the school I want to go for studies but could not secure a visa,” an applicant who only gave his name as Mohammed said.
Aisha, a civil servant, said some patients died while waiting to get visas to India.
She said, “But I think it is our fault. I mean the fault of our governments at all levels, and rich people who have failed to make things work here.
“Our hospitals don’t have the facilities to attend to some complications, while our schools are always on strike. I think this is basically why we see health and education tourism as the last resort.”
Aisha, however, said the visa denial or delay was not unique to India.
“Many countries, some within Africa, look down on us because of how we cheapened ourselves. They reluctantly give visas to us. Even government officials are affected in some cases,” she said.
A diplomat said Nigerians should be blamed for the embarassment. “Many of our people dont have businesses going out but they want to go using dubious means. That is why the embassies are strict,” he said.
“We should love our country – we can make things happen here through hardwork and patriotism,” he added.
