The UK opens Africa’s largest Visa Application Centre in Ikeja, Lagos, improving visa services for Nigerian travelers. Managed by VFS Global, the facility offers new features like document upload, extended hours, SMS updates, and mobile submission services. Nigeria is a key partner, with 5% of global UK visa applications.
The United Kingdom has launched its largest Visa Application Centre in Africa, located in Ikeja, Lagos. The new facility, managed by VFS Global, aims to streamline the visa process for Nigerians applying to travel to the UK. It adds to the existing centres in Abuja and Victoria Island, providing enhanced accessibility for applicants.
British Deputy High Commissioner Jonny Baxter attended the inauguration, underscoring the significance of the UK-Nigeria relationship. "Nigeria remains one of the UK’s most important partners," Baxter noted, emphasizing that the new centre will improve services for Nigerian visa applicants.
Marc Owen, Director of Visa, Status, and Information Services at UK Visas and Immigration, highlighted the high demand for UK visas in Nigeria, with over 225,000 applications processed between June 2023 and June 2024. The Ikeja centre introduces several customer-centric features, such as document upload assistance, extended submission hours, SMS notifications, courier passport returns, and the ability to retain passports after biometric enrollment.
For Abuja residents, a Mobile Visa Service now allows for visa applications to be submitted remotely, while a Premium Lounge offers a personalized experience with dedicated staff. The UK continues to be a top destination for Nigerian travelers, who account for 5% of all global UK visit visa applications. The launch of this new facility reinforces the UK’s commitment to delivering efficient and accessible visa services to Nigerian nationals.
