Out of the 192,741 Schengen visa applications submitted by Nigerians in 2022 and 2023, 89,344 were rejected, representing a denial rate of 46.35%. This high rejection rate placed Nigeria among the top 20 countries with the most visa denials, ranking 11th on the list.
Data from the European Commission and the Henley Global Mobility Report revealed that Nigerian passport holders submitted 86,815 visa applications in 2022, with 46,404 denied. In 2023, applications rose to 105,926, out of which 42,940 were rejected.
While there has been a gradual increase in the number of Schengen visas issued to Nigerians, the rejection rate remains high, signaling growing challenges for applicants.
Understanding the Schengen Visa
The Schengen visa is a short-term travel permit that allows holders to move across 27 European countries without internal border checks. Introduced in 1995, it enables stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period for purposes such as tourism, business, or family visits.
Applicants are required to provide proof of financial capability, travel insurance, a clear itinerary, and evidence of intent to return home. However, individuals from countries perceived to have higher risks of overstaying or security concerns often face more scrutiny, leading to higher rejection rates.
Reasons Behind High Rejection Rates
Experts attribute the high number of applications from Nigeria to economic challenges driving emigration, popularly referred to as the “Japa” phenomenon. Nigeria’s inflation rate hit 34.80% in December 2024 and is projected to remain above 30% in early 2025, further fueling the desire to leave the country.
Moreover, the Nigerian passport has experienced a significant drop in global ranking, falling from 62nd in 2006 to 94th in 2025, according to Henley’s report.
Africa’s Visa Denial Challenges
Nigeria’s rejection rate mirrors a broader trend across Africa, where several countries also rank among the top nations with high Schengen visa denials. Comoros leads globally with a 61.3% rejection rate, followed by Guinea-Bissau (51%), Ghana (47.5%), and Mali (46.1%).
Although African nations submitted only 2.8% of global Schengen visa applications in 2023, nearly 45% of these were rejected. By comparison, Asian applicants, who filed twice as many applications, faced much lower rejection rates.
Prof. Mehari Maru, a migration expert, highlighted the structural and geopolitical factors contributing to the higher rejection rates for African applicants. He noted that many applicants face rigorous documentation requirements and heightened scrutiny.
“Despite improvements in global travel freedom, Africans still experience disproportionately higher rejection rates compared to their Asian and Western counterparts,” Maru stated in the Henley Global Mobility Report.
Broader Implications for Nigerians
A former Nigerian ambassador, Ogbole Amedu-Ode, emphasized that the country’s struggling economy continues to push citizens to seek opportunities abroad. He noted that while visa rejections are troubling, there is also an increase in the number of Nigerians granted Schengen visas, reflecting a growing interest in migration.
“The high application numbers and corresponding rejections reflect the economic pressures Nigerians face,” Amedu-Ode said. “This trend may persist unless there is a significant improvement in the national economy.”
As European consulates tighten their visa processes, applicants are often denied for reasons such as incomplete documentation, doubts about their intent to return, or previous immigration violations. Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, revealed that in 2024 alone, over 10,000 Nigerians detained for immigration offenses were repatriated from Europe and America.
The rising Schengen visa rejections underscore the need for Nigeria to address its economic and structural challenges to curb the exodus of its citizens seeking better opportunities abroad.