Nigeria: Fake Schengen Visas Surge As Nigerian Passengers Abscond During Morocco Transit

What the report says

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has warned of a rise in fake Schengen visa stamps being used by some passengers travelling toward Europe, with the problem surfacing most often during transit through Morocco. According to Leadership, the agency said the falsified documents are becoming more sophisticated and are sometimes only detected at transit airports or on arrival in Europe.

Michael Achimugu, the NCAA’s director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, said some passengers book long layovers in Casablanca in order to qualify for hotel accommodation, then leave the transit area and attempt to reach Europe irregularly. He said this pattern has contributed to tighter entry rules for Nigerians without visas, even when they may otherwise be eligible for transit hotel stays.

The NCAA said it is discussing the matter with Moroccan authorities and seeking a more flexible arrangement for genuine Nigerian travellers. It pointed to Ethiopia as an example of a system that allows controlled hotel transfers for transit passengers. The Moroccan side, however, has argued that its proximity to Europe makes it more vulnerable to irregular migration pressures.

The agency said it wants authorities to rely on actual data before applying broad restrictions, and it has also raised the possibility of more airport hotel rooms or lounge access for stranded travellers. The issue highlights the wider tension between easing legitimate travel and preventing abuse of transit arrangements for illegal migration.