According to the Embassy, it received a formal request from Nigeria’s National Sports Commission on April 24, referencing an initial letter dated April 22, seeking facilitation of visas for the athletes.

The Chinese Embassy in Nigeria has denied claims that visa delays were responsible for the Athletics Federation of Nigeria's (AFN) withdrawal from the World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou.

In a statement, the Embassy addressed claims by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) suggesting that a holdup in visa issuance was the reason Nigerian athletes could not travel for the global competition.

According to the Embassy, it received a formal request from Nigeria’s National Sports Commission on April 24, referencing an initial letter dated April 22, seeking facilitation of visas for the athletes.

"The Embassy immediately engaged with the Commission and provided guidance on document preparation," the statement said.

 It added that the visa applications were submitted to the China Visa Application Centre on May 6, and were processed by May 8 under expedited procedures.

Reaffirming its longstanding support for cultural and sports exchanges with Nigeria, the Embassy noted that visa issuance is subject to national sovereignty and requires necessary documentation and time.

While expressing regret over the athletes' inability to attend the relays, the Embassy emphasised that the timeline of events contradicts the AFN’s narrative. 

It reiterated China's commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and supporting Nigerian athletes in future international events.