The Consul-General of Switzerland in Lagos, Mr Yves Nicolet, on Wednesday notified Nigerians that his consulate was not in the business of issuing visas to applicants.
Nicolet told the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) in Lagos that it was advisable for Nigerians and non-Nigerians seeking visas to Switzerland to always visit the Embassy of Switzerland in Abuja.
“We want Nigerians and non-Nigerians to know that the Consulate- General of Switzerland in Lagos is not in the business of issuing visas to persons wanting to travel to Switzerland.
“This Consulate-General does not have a visa section, and so, we do not and cannot issue visas. And we do not intend to open a visa section in the near future.
“We really want Nigerians and other visa applicants to know that the Consulate-General is charged with promoting economic and cultural relations between Switzerland and Nigeria,’’ he said.
Nicolet recalled that his government had had its Embassy in Lagos since 2004, until it decided to close all its representation in Lagos and moved the Embassy finally to Abuja.
He said that his government later realised the growing presence of Swiss companies and the community in Lagos and had decided to inaugurate the Consulate-General of Switzerland in Lagos in March 2016.
The Envoy also disclosed that his government’s decision to inaugurate the representation in Lagos was because of the state’s economic position, as the most populated city in Africa.
Nicolet said that it was his consulate’s cardinal objective to continue to facilitate economic and cultural relations between both countries.
He said that that the Swiss Government decided to establish the consulate, after it had closed its representation in Lagos some years ago, to strengthen bilateral relations between both countries.
The consul-general also said the consulate was established to attract more Swiss investors to Nigeria, as well as promote the investment and business interest of Nigerians in Switzerland.
“The first objective of this consulate is to improve the bilateral relations between Nigeria and Switzerland, as well as try to bring more Swiss investors to Nigeria.
“It is also the responsibility of this consulate to promote the investment and business interests of Nigerians in Switzerland,’’ he added. (NAN)
