The United Kingdom has launched Africa’s biggest visa application centre in Lagos State.
It was opened yesterday through the UK’s new commercial partner – VFS Global.
Residents of Nigeria travelling to the UK can now book appointments to submit their visa applications via VFS Global’s new state-of-the-art Visa Application Centres (VAC) located in Abuja, Ikeja (Lagos), and Victoria Island (Lagos) which have commenced operations on 19 November.
“I am delighted to witness the opening of this, the largest visa application centre in Africa. Nigeria remains one of the UK’s most important partners, and we hope that VFS deliver ever improving services for those applying for visas to the UK,” the British Deputy High Commissioner Jonny Baxter said.
On his part, the Director of Visa, Status and Information Services at UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) Marc Owen said: “The opening of our new VAC in Ikeja marks an exciting milestone for UKVI and VFS Global in the provision of a world-class UK visa service here in Nigeria and elsewhere across Africa.
“In the year to June 2024, we processed more than 225k UK visas for Nigerian nationals across all categories and this new partnership demonstrates our continued commitment to ensuring our visa services are accessible, efficient and meet the needs of all applicants.”
According to the Head-Sub-Saharan Africa VFS Global Alok Singhal, the move underscores Nigeria’s long-standing relationship with UK.
“We are excited to embark on this new journey with UK Visas and Immigration here in Nigeria,” he said.
“We have enjoyed a long-standing partnership with UK Visas and Immigration since 2003 and look forward to now bringing travellers from Nigeria our best-in-class services.”
