A staggering 46.35% of Nigerian applicants seeking Schengen visas over the past two years faced rejection, according to data obtained by this newspaper. This translates to 89,344 rejected applications out of 192,741 submitted between 2022 and 2023.
Nigeria ranks 11th among the top 20 countries with the highest Schengen visa denial rates, with 46,404 rejections in 2022 and 42,940 in 2023. The Schengen visa allows short stays of up to 90 days within 180 days across 27 European countries.
Factors Contributing to High Rejection Rates
Experts attribute the high rejection rates to factors such as:
- Incomplete documentation: Many applicants fail to provide required documents, leading to automatic rejection.
- Perceived overstay risks: Applicants are often viewed as potential overstayers, leading to increased scrutiny.
- Security concerns: The European Commission prioritizes security, and applicants may be rejected due to perceived security risks.
Economic Factors Driving Visa Applications
Nigeria’s struggling economy, with inflation reaching 34.8% in December 2024, is driving the surge in visa applications. Many citizens are seeking better opportunities abroad, leading to a growing number of applications.
Regional Disparities in Rejection Rates
The Henley report highlights structural challenges faced by African applicants, who experience stricter scrutiny compared to peers from other regions. Rejection rates vary significantly across regions, with:
- Africa: Comoros (61.3%), Guinea-Bissau (51%), Ghana (47.5%), Mali (46.1%)
- Asia: Pakistan (49.6%), Syria (46%), Bangladesh (43.3%)
Former Ambassador Ogbole Amedu-Ode emphasizes that Nigeria’s economic challenges are fueling the trend, and experts suggest that this trend will persist unless Nigeria’s economic conditions improve significantly.
