Singer Yemi Alade has been denied a visa to perform in Canada over fears she might not return to Nigeria.
Le Devoir, a French-language newspaper published in Montreal and distributed in Canada, reports that the ‘Johnny’ singer will be unable to perform as one of the headliners of the Festival international Nuits d’Afrique.
Reacting to the development, Suzanne Rousseau, the festival co-founder, said the visa denial was due to “financial reasons, and for fears that the group wouldn’t leave Canada.”
Rousseau added that the process of applying for a visitor’s visa has been difficult for “at least five years.”
“Finally, we got an answer saying the musicians were refused, saying they have to guarantee that they have enough financial means that will make them go back to their country,” she said.
Yemi Alade also announced that she would no longer be headlining the concert.
“I’m so sad ! I will not be headlining the Festival in Montreal as announced for July 24th .I’m trully sorry. TILL NEXT TIME Canada,” she wrote on Twitter on Friday.
