The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has sealed off the visa centres for France, Belgium, and Italy located at Mukhtar El-Yakub House in the Central Business District of Abuja.
“The visa centre, which is managed by TLS Contact, a teleperformance company, was shut down on Thursday following a series of confrontations between the company’s staff and government officials.”
The FCCPC stated that the enforcement was carried out with the support of the Nigerian Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), as staff at the centre actively resisted the sealing process.
Boladale Adeyinka, director of surveillance and investigations at the FCCPC, explained that the action was taken after the centre failed to acknowledge or respond to an official letter from the commission regarding a consumer complaint investigation. “The centre was also sealed due to obstruction of investigation or inquiry, and for conducting services that were ‘upon reasonable suspicion, to be inimical to consumers’ welfare.’”
“The troubles began back in March when the FCCPC attempted to serve the company with a complaint.” According to Adeyinka, “On the 25th of March 2025, based on a consumer complaint, a letter was served on them to address the consumer complaint, as is the process of amicable resolution of consumer complaints at the commission.
The officers of TLS, rather than receive the consumer complaint, proceeded to assault our officers who were conducting the lawful duty of protecting and implementing the provisions of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA).”
Following the incident, the commission summoned TLS staff to appear under Section 33 of the FCCPA. However, when officials attempted to serve the summons, the situation reportedly worsened.
“Rather than receive the summons of the commission, officers of TLS again on June 17, proceeded not only to assault our officers but also assaulted uniformed officers of the police force who were providing lawful security for the operations of the commission,” Adeyinka stated.
She warned that such actions are in violation of Nigerian law. “Section 33 stipulates that any person who, without sufficient cause, fails or refuses to appear before the commission in compliance with a summons commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or a fine not exceeding N20 million or both fine and imprisonment.”
The FCCPC has mandated the company to appear before the commission on June 20 to testify, take depositions, and provide evidence concerning their failure to acknowledge the commission’s investigation letter.
“This is an enforcement operation against TLS,” Adeyinka emphasized. “As you are aware, they provide visa support services to Nigerian consumers.”
The closure is expected to disrupt services for hundreds of visa applicants who rely on the centre for travel to France, Belgium, and Italy.
Adeyinka affirmed that TLS would be held accountable for any inconvenience suffered by the public, stating that “the company would be liable for all losses and expenses encountered by visa applicants due to the enforcement action.”