Germany moves Nigerian student visa processing to Lagos centre

The German government has announced a major change to its student visa application process in Nigeria, directing all applicants to a dedicated visa application centre in Lekki, Lagos.

In a notice shared via its official X handle on Tuesday, the German Embassy in Nigeria stated that student visa applications will no longer be submitted at its consulate.

Instead, applicants will be required to complete their submissions through a visa application centre operated by VFS Global.

Under the new arrangement, applicants must first register online and secure an appointment. Once scheduled, they will be invited to the Lekki centre rather than the consulate.

“This means that you will be invited to the centre, not the consulate, when an appointment is assigned to you after registering online,” the embassy said.

The embassy advised prospective students to visit the VFS Global website for comprehensive guidance on the updated application procedures.

The new processing system was officially launched on March 25, 2026, in Lagos. The event was attended by Deputy Consul General Gerald Wolf and VFS Global’s General Manager for Operations, Stephen Kubasu.

According to the embassy, the shift to a centralised application centre is expected to improve efficiency and streamline the visa process for Nigerians seeking higher education opportunities in Germany.

Germany has continued to attract a growing number of international students in recent years.

Data from the German Academic Exchange Service, published in its Wissenschaft weltoffen report, shows that German universities recorded approximately 402,000 international students during the 2024/2025 winter semester, a six per cent increase compared to the previous year.

Guidelines on the VFS Global website indicate that the Lekki centre will handle key aspects of the application process, including document submission, biometric data collection, and other administrative services on behalf of German diplomatic missions in Nigeria.