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“What exactly are we doing in this country when our lives are daily threatened by arrogant herdsmen who are now renowned for killing unquestioned? Are you not bothered by the several killings in Benue, Zamfara, Kogi, Taraba and other states?
What has the Nigerian government done about it? Who have so far been arrested? But people are buried in their countries on a daily basis just for being Nigerians? And you want me to be part of those people? That’s over my dead body!”
These were the exact words of Biodun Ademola (not real names) as I questioned him and several others lined up eagerly on a queue to apply for South African Visa at VFS Global in Lagos on Monday last week.
I reminded Biodun that other countries had their security, economic among other challenges – South Africa, in particular, was still dealing with xenophobic attacks especially on Nigerians, he impatiently said:
“Yes I’ve heard and read of xenophobic attacks there but that has subsidized seriously now. Come to think of it, is it not even more justified to defend yourselves against strangers taking up your job and other means of livelihood than to lose your life to an animal in your country? A cow for that matter? If I perish in South Africa of xenophobic attacks, it’ll be more honourable than being hacked to death by a fellow Nigerian for being less valuable than a cow,” Biodun said unapologetically.
On the fateful day, the number of applicants for both South Africa and Canada Visas were almost in their thousands. A further enquire from the processing company, VFS Global showed that South Africa receives the highest number of applicants with over 230 applications daily.
VFS Global currently acts as the outsourced partner for the visa applications and processing of South Africa, Canada, Belgium, France, and other countries.
Applicants including students, artisans, family, etc. start moving in their numbers to the Lekki office as early as 6am daily. They take numbers in order of arrival and would only be attended to by 8am.
Amazed by the huge numbers of applicants for South Africa visa as against other countries, this reporter further asked a lady who appeared to be rough handled repeatedly by muscular guys queued behind her to jostle for a space ahead as the announcement was made by some security guards that the South African processing centre had received enough application for the day at just 10am! This will mean a repetition of the whole process by the following day. The lady was however determined not to give her space for anyone irrespective of the pressure.
“Please, I don’t think I can entertain any question now,” She said firmly as I approached her. Feeling determined, I pestered her further, ‘Don’t you think things are not this hard in Nigeria for you to go through this kind of stress just to visit another man’s land as a second class citizen”? I asked knowing well that a thunderous and emotional response will follow.
“What do you mean by that? Are you blind to the crazy things happening in this country? I know it’s pretty expensive to try UK or America Visa that’s why I decided to go for South Africa’s. From my researches, I know they have quality education and stable academic calendar, good road networks and a stable economy. What else am I looking for? I’ve thought this over and over and my mind is made up. Not even my parents can stop me from getting out of this frustrating place called Nigeria. I’m so done!,” she said sounding irreversible in her decision.
However, lock ran out on her as officials stopped further consideration of fresh applicants by 10am citing reaching the maximum 230 daily benchmark. However, applicants for other countries were still being attended to because they are relatively low compared to those for South Africa.
We stand in for applicants, fast track VISA processes – Agents
As soon as the application timing elapsed, some of the agents who had been lurking around dishing out unsolicited advises and advertisement of their services to applicants offered to help stand in for applicants who might not make it early enough to the centre again the following day; Tuesday.
One of such, a man in his early thirties looking smartly dressed approached me with the assurances that I can actually stay at home and get my visa processed within two days. He termed it ‘Non appearance.’
“Bros, sorry you couldn’t get in to start your application. That’s how it happens here daily especially for South African and Canadian applicants. To be selected, you must have gotten here at least by 7am. However, considering the everyday traffic hassles of Lagos, applicants hardly meet up. But since you a working class, you might want to avoid all these stress. We can do it for you. We’ll stand in for you as early as 6am, take a number for you and you can come in to start up from there. Or we can finish the whole process for you without showing at all. Its Non appearance. We will even deliver your passport to you at the convenience of your house or office. All you need is just to supply us all your detailed information, pay us and you are done!,” he said sounding like an advertising guru.
Asked what the cost implication is, he said: “It depends on the service you are opting for. If you want us to just pick a number on your behalf pending the time you come around to come start your application, we charge N5,000:00. Officially, the minimum time for processing of each application is six (6) days but we have our guys inside who help fast track the application and make it possible to get within two days. For that we charge N70,000:00 aside from the N35,000:00 non refundable processing fee that you pay to VFS Global. Our guys inside charge N65,000:00 while we take the remaining N5,000:00 for bringing business to them. The non-appearance is N150,000:00,” the agent said.
Prodding further, I asked for the authenticity of claims bearing in mind the ‘Do not patronize touts and agents’ boldly written on the company’s wall. To which he responded: “Bros you don’t have a problem. This thing did not start today. We have done it for countless number of people but it’s all coded. The guys inside do it well and some of them even approach applicants while attending to them at the counter. I’ll give you my number and take you to my shop. I am very popular here and the security guys know us well,’ he assured.
Deal with touts/agents at your peril – VFS Global
However, in a swift rebuttal, the processing company, VFS Global warned strictly against dealing with anyone other than staff of the company. An official of the company who preferred speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not officially in position to do so said applicants dealing with touts or so called agents are doing so at their peril. He explained that applicants are treated on a first come, first serve basis daily and that applications and processed visas can’t be received by proxy.
“Whatever those guys have told you is their own marketing strategy. We’ve continually sounded warnings that no one should patronize them. Several people have complained of how they disappeared with their monies and they are on their own.
The application is simple enough for anyone to comprehend. Download application form on the VFS Global website. Fill and come for submission from Monday to Friday. For short term (holiday visa) you pay a total processing fee of N34,030 and N56,040:00 for long term (the fee might vary depending on what the applicant is going there for).
It takes a minimum of six (6) working days to process each visa. We also provide applicants with premium lodge space at an additional fee of N10,000:00. In the lodge, applicants will have unhindered access to photocopy machine, light refreshements and can also seek special clarifications on any issue as regards their applications. However, this is not a guarantee that visa will be processed ahead of other applicants who did not subscribe to use the service.
Asked if he’s aware that some of the staff collaborate with the agents outside to do shady deals, he said: ‘There nothing of such. They are only saying that to make you fall prey to their antics. Anyone found receiving bribes to in order to give special consideration to particular applicants will be summarily dismissed and handed over to the security agencies,” he said.