German Embassy in Nigeria





German Ambassador, Joachim Christoph Schmillen

Germany, a western European country, is a choice state for travellers from Nigeria and across the world.

The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany is located at 9 Lake Maracaibo Close, off Amazon Street Maitama, Abuja.  It has a consulate office in Lagos at 15, Walter Carrington Crescent, Victoria Island.



The current German Ambassador to Nigeria is Mr. Joachim Christoph Schmillen. Schmillen became his country’s Ambassador to Nigeria since 2006. Before his arrival to take his current diplomat post in Nigeria he was the German Ambassador to Chile from 2003 to 2006 and has held other diplomatic positions.

  Mr. Walter L. Von den Driesch is the Consul-General in Lagos.

Embassy Departments



The German is made up of the political section, the economics section, the consular section, the cultural section and the press section.

Visiting Hours

For the Abuja office visiting hours is between 9 a.m to 12 p.m or by appointment.



The Lagos office is opened to visitors from 8 a.m to 12 p.m. or by appointment.

Czech Republic Embassy in Nigeria

Czech Ambassador, Jaroslav Siro (R) with an Artist

The Embassy of the Czech Republic in Nigeria is situated at number 5, Gnassingbe Eyadema Street, Asokoro, in Abuja.

Jaroslav Siro is the designated Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Czech Republic to Nigeria. The Embassy is also accredited to other West African countries such as Benin, Cameroun, Chad, Equatorial Guinea and Niger.

Siro had served as Ambassador in other countries before his present position in Nigeria. In 2007, he served in Republic of South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Mauritius, Swaziland and Lesotho, while residing in Pretoria, South Africa.  In this same capacity in 1999, he served in Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique, while he resided in Harare, Zimbabwe.

He also served as Director of the African Department, MFA, in Prague.

The Embassy operates from Monday –Friday from 8:00am to 4:00pm. The Czech’s  consulate office opens its doors for services on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 9:00am to 12:00pm.

Visa application and procedures

Applications for visas for short term visa up to 90 days are required to be done in person, especially during the interview sessions.

Passport valid for more than three months from the date of the validity is required for the visa. The new Nigerian e-passports are received only.

The application must be accomplished with letter of introduction and leave letters from employer.

Cuban Embassy in Nigeria



Cuban ambassador to Nigeria, H.E. ELIO SAVON OLIVA



The Cuban embassy in Nigeria is located at Plot 339, Diplomatic Zone, area 10, Garki, Abuja.

This Caribbean country’s Ambassador to Nigeria is Mr. Elio Savon Oliva.

The Deputy Head of mission for press and culture is Mr. Pedro Luis Despaigne Gonzalez. Mrs. Dolores Manuela Meras Morejon is the embassy’s commercial and cooperation officer, Mrs. Raisa Buron Anglada is the consular officer, and Mrs. Teresa Lamoru Preval is the administrative officer.

The embassy operates every Monday to Friday from 9a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2pm to 4.30p.m.

Procedures for applying for Cuban visa

Business visa:



A completely filled application form should be accompanied with substantiated economic solvency bank statement, valid and legal documents accrediting the applications are substantiated businesspersons or their representatives and evidences to confirm contacts with Cuban enterprises and business proposals.

Irish Embassy in Nigeria



Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny



Embassy of Ireland in Nigeria is located at 11 Negro Crescent Maitama District, Abuja.

Mr Patrick Fay is the current Ambassador of Ireland to Nigeria. He presented his letter of credence to President Goodluck Jonathan on October 22 last year, in Abuja. George O'Keeffe is the Deputy Head of Mission of Ireland in the country.         

Operation hours

The Embassy’s visa office is opened to the public 9am to 3pm on Mondays to Thursdays. Visa office is closed on Fridays

The embassy’s Public Office operates from 8.30am to 4.30pm on Mondays to Thursdays, and 8.30am to 1.30pm on Fridays.

Commercial Service

The Embassy gives support both to Irish firms supplying goods and services from Ireland to Nigeria and the regional market and to the growing network of Irish firms that are already operating in Nigeria.

Consular Services

In cooperation with the Passport Office and the Consular Services Section of the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin, the Embassy also provides consular and passport services to Irish citizens in Nigeria and the other countries of accreditation.

Visa Application

The embassy has two Visa Application Centres (VACs) operated by VFS Global Ltd. The Lagos centre is located at 1st Floor, 16, Billingsway, Oregun Industrial Area, Ikeja. The Abuja VAC is located at number 38, Lobito Crescent, Wuse II.

Applicants are expected to appear in person during visa application in any of the two VACs. Appointments are not necessary before application.

The Irish Government began collecting biometric data in the form of fingerprints as part of the visa application process since March last year. All visa applicants who are aged 6 years and over will be required to provide their fingerprints at any of VACs. VFS Global Ltd are authorised to collect fingerprint data on behalf of the Irish Government.

VFS Global Ltd will forward the applications to the Embassy who will process and issue the visas, as appropriate. Application decisions and papers will be returned directly to the applicants by the Embassy, therefore applicants are advised to submit a prepaid envelope along with their application from any of the Courier service companies - DHL, FEDEX, UPS.

Finnish Embassy in Nigeria



Finnish Ambassador to Nigeria



Finnish embassy in Nigeria is located at 9 Iro Dan Musa Street, Asokoro, Abuja.

Mrs. Riitta Korpivaara is the Ambassador of Finland in Nigeria. She is also the Permanent Representative of her country to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and she is accredited also as Ambassador to other west African countries like Benin, Ghana, Liberia and Senegal.



Others staffers in the embassy include, Mr. Lauri Voionmaa who act as the First Secretary and Deputy Head of Mission for the embassy, Mrs. Nina Hallan is the Third Secretary, and handles consular matters. Ms. Sinikka Koski is the Counsellor on conflict prevention and development, and Ms. Arja Koski is the Third Secretary; she operates as financial officer.



Operation hours:

The embassy opens its services to clients from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. from Monday to Thursday.

Its consulate office operates Monday to Thursday 8 a.m. to 4.15 p.m., and 8 a.m. to 1.15 p.m. on Friday.



Visa Application procedures:

One can apply for Finnish visa if the length of stay is a maximum of three months. If a stay exceeds three months it is expected that a residence permit is applied for.

Since last year October 1, the embassy now only accepts E-passport from Nigerian applicants.

The embassy processes visa within 10 calendar days.



It is expected that applicants for visa and residence permits book appointments in advance.

Chinese Embassy in Nigeria



Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria inspecting parade guards

 The Embassy of the Peoples’ Republic of China in Nigeria is located at Plot 302-303 A.O. Central Area, Abuja.

Deng Boqing is the current Ambassador to Nigeria, while Guo Kun is the Consul-General of the embassy’s consulate in Lagos. The consulate office is located at Plot 161A, Idejo Street, Victoria Island.

Visas

Chinese visa is a permit issued to a foreigner by the Chinese visa authorities for entry into, exit from or transit through the territory. The Chinese visa authorities may issue a Diplomatic, Courtesy, Service or Ordinary Visa to a foreigner according to the identity and purpose of visit of the applicant and their passport type. 

Ordinary Visa consists of eight sub-categories, which are respectively marked with Chinese phonetic letters L, F, Z, X, C, J-1 and J-2.

L-Visa: Issued to an alien who goes to China for sightseeing, family visiting or other private purposes.

CANADIAN HIGH COMMISSION IN NIGERIA

Canadian High Commissioner in Nigeria, Chris Cooter

High commission of Canada in Nigeria has its headquarter office at number 15 rue Bobo street, Maitama, Abuja.

Christopher Cooter is the Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria. He was named High Commissioner of Canada to Nigeria and Canada’s Permanent Observer to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in September 2010. He joined the Department of External Affairs in 1990 after working in Vancouver as a lawyer in private practice and for the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development as a lands officer. He has since served abroad in Nairobi, New Delhi and Brussels, where he was deputy permanent representative of the Canadian Joint Delegation to the North Atlantic Council.

Visa Application

A travel to Canada can be for a visit, temporary work, to study, or as a refugee.

For a short visit immigrants need to meet certain entry requirements. In some cases, if one plans to stay in Canada for a certain period of time, Temporary Resident Visa is required.

A work permit is required for most temporary jobs in Canada. Though , for some positions and business people it is not necessary.

There is also a study visa for students wishing to visit Canada to continue their study.

BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION IN NIGERIA

British High Commissioner Andrew Lloyd (R).

The British High Commission in Nigeria its main office located at Dangote House, Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama District, Abuja. Other offices of the commission are located at  11 Walter Carrington Crescent, Vitoria Island, Lagos, Plot 230, Olu Obasanjo Road, Port Harcourt, and number 3, Independence Way (Alimi Road Entrance) Kaduna.

The High Commission is responsible to the British government for all aspects of relationship between UK and Nigeria.

Andrew Lloyd is the High Commissioner of UK to Nigeria; he is the Non-Resident Ambassador to the Republic of Benin and Permanent Representative to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Lloyd before assuming his current post in Nigeria was Director, Corporate Services, at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) from 2008 to 2010, aiming to reform the way the FCO runs its people, buildings and money.

Until 2008, Lloyd was the FCO Director for Africa – the senior foreign policy adviser on Africa to the British Foreign Secretary, also responsible for leading a network of 30-plus British Embassies, High Commissions and other posts around Africa.

From 2000 to February 2002, he was head of the British Diplomatic Office in Kosovo, leading the British diplomatic effort to end the conflict between Serbia and Kosovo, where he was closely involved in the establishment of Kosovo’s self-government and democratic institutions.

AUSTRALIAN HIGH COMMISSION IN NIGERIA

Australian High Commissioner Ian Mcconville

Australian High Commission in Nigeria is located at 5^th Floor, Oakland Centre, 48 Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja.

Mr. Ian McConville is the Australian high commissioner to Nigeria.

Mr McConville is a career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. He led with distinction the Government's response to the tragic Sundance air crash in the Republic of the Congo and has extensive experience in the Department and has previously served overseas as Australia's High Commissioner to Mauritius. He has had earlier postings to Cambodia and Pakistan.

Mr McConville holds a Bachelor of Arts degree, an LLB and a Master of Arts degree in Foreign Affairs and Trade from Monash University. He also holds a Graduate Diploma in Foreign Affairs and Trade from the Australian National University and is a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria. Mr McConville speaks French. He is married with three children.