The United Kingdom has taken a significant step to bolster its relationship with Nigeria by Unveiling Africa’s largest Visa Application Centre (VAC) in Lagos.
Managed by VFS Global, this center aims to improve the visa application process for Nigerians planning to visit the UK.
At the launch in Ikeja on Wednesday, British Deputy High Commissioner Jonny Baxter emphasized the strategic importance of the initiative. He remarked, “Nigeria remains one of the UK’s primary partners, and we anticipate that VFS will consistently improve the services for individuals applying for UK visas.”
The establishment of new Visa Application Centers in Abuja and Victoria Island, Lagos, underscores the UK’s commitment to making visa processing more accessible and efficient.
Marc Owen, the Director of Visa, Status, and Information Services at UK Visas and Immigration, described the Ikeja Centre as a significant advancement. He stated, “The opening of our new Visa Application Centre in Ikeja marks a key milestone for UKVI and VFS Global in providing an excellent UK visa service in Nigeria and across Africa.”
Over the past year, over 225,000 visas were granted to Nigerians, making Nigeria a key source of travellers to the UK from Africa. Alok Singhal, the Head of Sub-Saharan Africa at VFS Global, expressed excitement about the new collaboration with UK Visas and Immigration in Nigeria, emphasizing their commitment to delivering high-quality services to travellers from the country.
Along with enhancing their capabilities, the VACs offer customer-centric services, including assistance with document uploads, Prime Time appointments, SMS notifications, and the choice to “Keep My Passport While Applying.” Additionally, in Abuja, there is an ‘On Demand Mobile Visa’ service that allows applicants to finalize their applications from the convenience of their home or office.
The initiative strengthens the UK’s status as a leading choice for Nigerian travellers, showcasing its commitment to enhancing bilateral ties and service quality throughout Africa.
