The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) on Thursday sealed the visa application centres for France, Belgium, and Italy located at the Mukhtar El-Yakub House, Central Business District, Abuja.
The enforcement action, carried out with the support of operatives from the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, followed allegations of consumer rights violations and obstruction of investigations by the visa service provider, TLS Contact — a Teleperformance Company.
Mrs. Boladale Adeyinka, Director of the Surveillance and Investigations Department at the FCCPC, who led the operation, said the visa centres were shut down due to the company’s failure to honour a letter from the Commission regarding a consumer complaint, and for obstructing lawful investigation.
“This is an enforcement operation against TLS. As you are aware, they provide visa support services to Nigerian consumers,” she said.
According to Adeyinka, the Commission served TLS Contact a letter on March 25, 2025, concerning a complaint lodged by a Nigerian consumer. However, the company not only refused to accept the letter but allegedly assaulted FCCPC officials carrying out their lawful duties.
“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),” Adeyinka disclosed.
The situation escalated further on June 17 when FCCPC operatives attempted to serve a summons on the company, as mandated by Section 33 of the FCCPA. Adeyinka said TLS officials again refused to comply and physically assaulted uniformed police officers accompanying the FCCPC team.
She warned that under Section 33 of the FCCPA, any individual or organisation that fails to comply with a lawful summons of the Commission without sufficient cause commits an offence punishable by up to three years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to ₦20 million, or both.
The Commission has directed TLS Contact to appear before it on June 20 to provide testimonies and submit evidence regarding the incidents. Adeyinka also stated that the company would be held accountable for losses suffered by visa applicants due to the enforcement action.
Efforts to obtain a response from TLS Contact management were unsuccessful, as the company declined to comment on the matter.
The visa centre serves as a key processing hub for Schengen visa applications for France, Belgium, and Italy.
