Abuja, July 9, 2025
The Federal Government, through the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), has shut down the Schengen visa application centres for France, Belgium, and Italy in Abuja over repeated violations of consumer rights and obstruction of investigation.
The centres, operated by TLSContact, were sealed following several unresolved complaints from Nigerians who accused the company of charging for services that were not delivered. According to the FCCPC’s Director of Surveillance and Investigations, Boladale Adeyinka, the visa centres not only failed to respond to investigation notices but also reportedly blocked access to officials and assaulted them during an enforcement visit on June 17.
The commission stated that the probe began in March 2025 after receiving reports that many visa applicants were exploited and denied proper service despite full payment. When the FCCPC sent out summons and inspection notices, the staff allegedly refused cooperation, an act considered a serious offence under Nigerian law.
Citing Section 33 of the FCCPC Act, the commission warned that obstruction or failure to honour a summons could attract a fine of ₦20 million, a jail term of up to three years, or both. The affected visa centres will remain closed until the management of TLSContact complies fully with the ongoing investigation and appears before the commission.
FCCPC also called on affected members of the public to submit formal complaints and evidence to aid the investigation, assuring Nigerians that those who breach consumer protection laws will be held accountable.
This enforcement action sends a strong signal to foreign service providers in Nigeria that consumer abuse will not be tolerated.
