42% of Nigeria’s applications have been rejected over the past 15 years amidst surging demand for Schengen visas

  • Nigerians submitted 1.1 million Schengen visa applications between 2009 and 2024.
  • The highest rejection rates occurred in 2017 (53%) and 2019 (51%).
  • A total of 491,844 applications were rejected, a cumulative denial rate of 42.1%.
  • Despite post-pandemic recovery, 2024 recorded the highest applications (111k), with a 45% rejection rate.
  • The year 2010 stands out as the period with the least number of Schengen visa applications submitted by the Nigerian consulate.

Over the past 15 years, Nigeria has experienced sharp fluctuations in Schengen visa denials. From a low of just 207 in 2010, rejections skyrocketed to over 50,000 by 2024, a staggering surge that marked the highest point in the period under review. The abrupt rebound post-pandemic highlights the challenges Nigerians face in securing Schengen visas, despite maintaining steady application rates. The numbers reflect more than just bureaucracy; they hint at deeper geopolitical, migratory, and diplomatic undercurrents shaping mobility in and out of Europe.

Between 2009 and 2024, over 1.1 million visa applications were filed in Nigeria. Of these, 491,844 were rejected, representing a 42.1% overall denial rate. This rejection percentage was consistently high, peaking at 52.5% in 2017, and dipping slightly to 51% in 2020.

Even as application numbers surged post-COVID, reaching a historic high of 111k in 2024, the denials did not reduce, with 45.9% of applicants turned away in the most recent year.

While the visa demand continues to grow, the disparity between applications and approvals remains sharp and costly. It’s important to note that application fees are non-refundable, currently around €90 for adults and €45 for children. From this report, Nigerians have lost millions of euros over these 15 years to unsuccessful applications. These rejections carry not just financial implications but also reflect deeper challenges faced by many Nigerians seeking mobility opportunities abroad.

Source:

European Commission

Period:

2024
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