Get Guardian on GoogleThe German Consulate in Lagos has announced plans to expand its visa application capacity in Nigeria, including increasing the number of visa counters and transferring more applications to Germany for remote processing, amid efforts to address challenges in the visa application system.
The Consul General of Germany in Lagos, Daniel Krull, said the consulate was working to improve access to visa services by increasing appointment slots through the incorporation of external service providers.
He disclosed this at the celebration of German National Day reception held in Lagos.
Krull said the consulate would further increase the number of visa counters before the end of the year to accommodate more applicants.
He added that the German government was also working to accelerate visa processing by transferring an increasing number of applications to a service centre in Germany for remote processing.
According to him, the consulate would soon establish a centre for the verification of documents, particularly those required by Nigerians seeking admission into German universities and research institutions.
He said the measures were part of efforts to improve the visa application process and strengthen opportunities for Nigerians seeking to study and undertake research in Germany.
Krull noted that German universities offered high-quality education at affordable costs, adding that many reputable public universities charged little or no tuition fees.
Beyond visa-related issues, the consul general said Germany remained committed to strengthening its bilateral relations with Nigeria, describing the country as a premium partner in West Africa and beyond.
He said recent visits by German government officials and business representatives demonstrated Germany’s continued commitment to deepening cooperation with Nigeria across various sectors.
He disclosed that Germany’s development aid portfolio in Nigeria was currently worth more than €700m, comprising grants and loans.
According to him, the German government intends to increase the positive impact of its development assistance by encouraging greater private sector investment and strengthening economic cooperation.
Krull described Nigeria as Germany’s most important trading partner in West Africa, stressing the need for both countries to uphold a rules-based international trading system.
He said Germany would continue to advocate transparency and equal treatment in international trade, noting that these principles remained essential to sustainable economic partnerships.
He also highlighted the cooperation between both countries at the United Nations, particularly their shared ambition to reform the Security Council to reflect contemporary political and economic realities.
On the significance of German reunification, Krull said the anniversary provided an opportunity to reflect on the lessons of the 1989-1990 period and their relevance to contemporary leadership and governance.
He said one of the lessons was that when leadership failed to serve the interests of the people, citizens could take charge of their own destiny and bring about change through peaceful means.
The consul general also emphasised the importance of international cooperation, saying Germans remained grateful for the support they received from other countries during the reunification process.
He said the experience demonstrated that meaningful change was possible through peaceful action and cooperation among nations.
Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Mrs Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, said that the relationship between Germany and Nigeria is growing stronger daily, adding that both countries have maintained a relationship for 66 years.
She stated that German businesses and institutions contribute to Nigeria’s development, while noting that Lagos State appreciates the presence of German enterprises and institutions.
According to her, Germany’s strengths and Nigeria’s potential offer cooperation opportunities. The strength of friendships is measured by generational willingness to sustain them. So Lagos State supports partnerships with the German community.
