Nigeria has been ranked among the top 10 African countries with the highest Schengen visa rejection rates in 2024, according to new data from the European Commission.
With a rejection rate of 45.9%—up from 40.8% in 2023—Nigeria is now fourth in Africa and third globally, trailing only Bangladesh and Senegal. Nearly one in two Nigerian applicants were denied entry into the 29-country Schengen Area, which includes travel destinations like France, Germany, Italy, and Spain.
The figures highlight growing difficulties for Nigerians seeking access to Europe, amid rising scrutiny and persistent issues such as incomplete documentation and limited travel history.
Schengen visa applications surged in 2024, with over 11.7 million short-stay requests submitted—a 13.6% increase from 2023. However, visa approvals remain below pre-pandemic levels: 9.7 million visas were issued this year, compared to 15 million in 2019.
Among African nations, Comoros topped the list with a 62.8% rejection rate, followed by Guinea-Bissau (47%), Senegal (46.8%), and Nigeria (45.9%). Ghana, Mali, Guinea, the Republic of the Congo, Burundi, and Ethiopia also recorded high refusal rates.
The data underscores a widening mobility gap between African nations and Schengen states. Experts point to administrative barriers and inconsistent visa processing as contributing factors, raising concerns about fairness in the system and the potential impact on travel, education, and economic ties between Africa and Europe.
