Visa applicants from Nigeria have been offered more access points to submit applications for processing, as VFS Global opened new Joint Visa Application Centre in Lagos.

The new office is expected to provide additional access point and enhance capacity for visa applicants amid sustained outbound travel demand from Nigeria

The newly opened joint visa application centre provides visa processing services for 15 countries from a centralised location, which is expected to effectively cater to the growing outbound travel from Nigeria, and also to provide applicants with more flexibility in choosing where to submit their visa applications.

According to the company, the sustained growth is being driven by increasing demand for international travel across tourism, business and visiting friends and relatives (VFR) segments, alongside continued interest in overseas education and greater forward planning by travellers.

According to the company, visa application volumes processed by VFS Global in Nigeria during the first half of 2026 remained at the same level as the corresponding period in 2025, following a 51 percent increase in visa application volumes in 2025 compared to 2024.

Accordingly, it disclosed that the UK, Canada and China remain popular destinations and continue to witness positive application trends from Nigerian travellers, while destinations such as Australia, Ireland and Schengen countries, including Sweden and Portugal, are also recording healthy demand.

“The opening of the Lekki centre reflects our continued commitment to making visa application services more accessible while maintaining the security and operational standards expected by our client governments,” Prashant Kansara, regional head, Central and West Africa at VFS Global, said during a media engagement held at its Ikeja Visa Application Centre.

He noted that VFS Global continues to invest in customer experience, technology and operational efficiency as travel demand across the region remains strong. He added that the new centre was established to improve accessibility for customers while supporting demand for international travel.

According to him, the new facility complements the company’s existing Visa Application Centre in Ikeja and will serve applicants seeking visa application services for multiple destination countries.

Kansara said further that the Lekki location offers applicants, particularly those living or working on Lagos Island and surrounding areas, another option for accessing visa application services.

Siddharth Mehra, chief operating officer, Middle East and Africa, at VFS Global, said the company’s role is limited to providing administrative support to governments throughout the visa application process.

He explained that visa decisions remain the sole responsibility of the respective embassies and consulates, adding that the company neither assesses applications nor influences the outcome of visa decisions.

“Our responsibility is to provide secure, efficient and transparent administrative services that support both our client governments and visa applicants throughout the application journey,” Mehra said.

Seyi John Salau is a BusinessDay Correspondent with interest in development journalism, which tells stories that connect the people, brands, and the government. SeyiJohn is also a media professional with BSc, Mass Communition (ACU); Masters of School Media (MSM, Ibadan) & MSc, Mass Communication (Caleb).