Foreign Minister Olugbenga Ashiru yesterday expressed Nigeria’s displeasure at Britain’s controversial Visa Bonds policy when he met in his office the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Andrew Pocock, CEOAFRICA reports according to a Foreign Ministry statement.

    The minister described the policy “as not only discriminatory but also capable of undermining the spirit of the Commonwealth family,” it said.

   It would be recalled that the UK government has reported that by November,2013, a pilot scheme would target visitors from Nigeria, India and Pakistan plus Bangladesh, Ghana and Sri-Lanka, as visitors aged 18 and above would be forced to hand over 3,000 euro ($4,600) for a six-month visit visa. They will forfeit the money if they overstay in Britain after their visa has expired.

 Ashiru told the British diplomat that Nigeria “has a responsibility to take appropriate measures to protect the interest of Nigerians who may be affected by the proposed policy, if finally introduced.’’

 However, the British High Commission’s Head of Press and Public Affairs, Robert Fitzpatrick, Pocock said his home government was yet to take a final decision on the Visa Bonds.

    He said the vast majority of Nigerians would not be required to pay a bond if the pilot scheme were to go ahead in Nigeria. “It would affect only a very small number of the highest risk visitors” and “those paying bonds would receive the bond back, if they abide by the terms of their visa.”

 He described the “tiny minority” that would be expected to pay financial bonds as “potential abuser.” He also explained “it would not be a 3,000 euro visa charge as some media reporting alleged,”

 Pocock said the government and people when the details of the scheme have been decided. “As soon as more details of the policy have been decided, we will inform the Nigerian Government and public fully and officially.”

 This, he said, will be done in the spirit of the long-standing friendship between Nigeria and Britain and the wish of the High Commission “to help bonafide Nigerian visitors to work, study or do business in the United Kingdom.”

The envoy disclosed that over 180,000 Nigerians apply to visit the UK each year. “About 70 percent or around 125,000, of those applicants are successful,” he said. He emphasised the importance of travel in Nigeria-Britain bilateral relations when he said: “Travel between our two countries is is a key part of our strong cultural and business relationship.”