The United Kingdom, UK, has inaugurated Africa’s largest visa application centre in Lagos State.
The facility, established in partnership with the UK’s new commercial partner, VFS Global, was officially opened on Wednesday, November 27.
Nigerians planning to travel to the UK can now schedule appointments to submit their visa applications at VFS Global’s modern Visa Application Centres, VACs. These centres, located in Abuja, Ikeja, and Victoria Island, began operations on November 19.
“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.
The Director of Visa, Status, and Information Services at UK Visas and Immigration, UKVI, Marc Owen, stated: “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 225 thousand 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.”
Alok Singhal, Head of Sub-Saharan Africa at VFS Global, highlighted that the initiative reflects the enduring partnership between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
“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.”
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