Nigerian agency shuts down France, Belgium, Italy visa processing center
A Nigerian agency, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has sealed off the visa processing center for France, Belgium, and Italy in Abuja due to alleged consumer rights violations.
The FCCPC has sealed the visa application center for France, Belgium, and Italy in Abuja due to alleged consumer rights violations.
Complaints included excessive fees, delays, and lack of clear refund and application procedure information.
The commission seeks resolution and improved consumer services despite temporary disruptions caused by the closure.
The action follows numerous complaints from Nigerian applicants accusing the visa processing center of charging excessive fees, causing prolonged delays, and failing to provide clear information on application procedures and refund policies.
The center, operated by TLScontact, a Teleperformance company responsible for handling Schengen visa applications, had allegedly failed to comply with Nigeria's consumer protection laws.
FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman, Babatunde Irukera stated that the Commission would sanction service providers who violate consumer rights, regardless of their international affiliations.
The closure is expected to disrupt visa application processes temporarily, but the FCCPC is willing to work with the parties to resolve the issues and ensure that transparent and consumer-friendly services resume.
Visa centre penalty backstory
According to Boladale Adeyinka, director of surveillance and investigations at the FCCPC, the center obstructed an investigation into consumer complaints and conducted services deemed "inimical to consumers' welfare."
The FCCPC's attempt to serve a summons to TLS staff escalated into further conflict.
Adeyinka stated, " On the 25th of March 2025, based on a consumer complaint, a letter was served on them to address the consumer complaint... The officers of TLS, rather than receive the consumer complaint, proceeded to assault our officers who were conducting the lawful duty of protecting and implementing the provisions of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA)."
Adeyinka warned that this behavior carries serious consequences, stating, " Section 33 stipulates that any person who... fails or refuses to appear before the commission... commits an offence and is liable... to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or a fine not exceeding N20 million."
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