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It will be a case of tit for tat if the British Government goes ahead with its plan to impose a £3,000 visa bond on visitors from Nigeria and five other Commonwealth countries, the Nigerian Government has assured.

Nigeria remains on the list of countries whose nationals will pay the said bond effective November this year despite the strong protest of the Goodluck Jonathan administration.

Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, had summoned British High Commissioner, Andrew Pocock, to a meeting in Abuja, during which he conveyed the message that Nigeria would retaliate the policy.

The ministry reaffirmed this powition yesterday in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Ogbole Ode. Belowis the text of the statement:

“Media reports in Nigeria on Monday, July 29, 2013, indicated that the United Kingdom Government will begin to implement from November, 2013, the £3,000 cash bond for first-time visa applicants from Nigeria, and five other Commonwealth countries. The other countries are India, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. These media reports themselves were quoting the Financial Times of London.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has yet to receive any official communication on the final decision of the UK government on this matter. The Federal Government has already conveyed its objection to the bond payment to the UK government. This was done when the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Ashiru, summoned the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Andrew Pocock, to the Tafawa Balewa House, on June 25, 2013.

“If and when a communication to that effect is received, the Federal Government will take appropriate steps to reflect its national interest.”

•Photo shows Foreign Affairs Minister, Amb. Olugbenga Ashiru.

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