The United Kingdom has inaugurated its largest visa application centre in Africa, located in Ikeja, Lagos State. Managed by VFS Global, the centre aims to simplify and improve the visa application process for Nigerians traveling to the UK, according to a statement from the British High Commission in Lagos. This development follows the establishment of additional centres in Abuja and Victoria Island, Lagos, which have been operational since November 19, to better meet the growing demand.

At the opening ceremony, Jonny Baxter, the British Deputy High Commissioner, highlighted the significance of the UK-Nigeria partnership. “I am pleased to witness the inauguration of this centre, the largest of its kind in Africa. Nigeria remains one of the UK’s most vital partners, and we are committed to improving services for UK visa applicants,” he said.

Marc Owen, Director of Visa, Status, and Information Services at UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), celebrated the milestone, noting that the centre enhances accessibility and efficiency. He revealed that over 225,000 visa applications from Nigerians were processed in the year leading to June 2024, reflecting increasing interest in travel to the UK.

The Ikeja centre offers advanced services such as document upload assistance, extended submission hours, SMS notifications, courier passport returns, and an option to retain passports after biometric enrolment. Abuja residents can also benefit from a Mobile Visa Service, while a Premium Lounge provides a personalised experience. These upgrades aim to improve convenience without affecting visa processing times or decisions.

VFS Global, UKVI’s partner since 2003, has expanded its operations significantly, currently serving 142 countries compared to just 58 at its inception. Nigerian applicants represent 5% of all global UK visa applications, underscoring the importance of this initiative.