Nigeria Set to Reciprocate US Visa Policy, Gives Details
- The US recently made an announcement requiring Nigerian visa applicants to disclose their social media profiles and activities from the past five years as part of the new visa application process
- The Ministry of Interior stated that the ministry was informed of the development ahead of the official announcement and provided details of how it would give similar treatment to US citizens
- The ministry disclosed a planned FG meeting involving key stakeholders to decide on the best approach to respond to the US visa policy
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FCT, Abuja - The federal government has vowed to respond in kind to a recent US visa policy that requires Nigerian applicants to submit their social media profiles and activities from the past five years as part of their visa application.
Source: UGC
US announcement on new visa policy
The United States Mission in Nigeria announced on Monday, August 18 of a new requirement for all visa applicants, mandating the disclosure of social media usernames and handles used in the past five years.
According to the Mission, applicants are expected to provide a comprehensive list of their social media profiles on the DS-160 visa application form.
The mission explained that the directive follows the US Department of State’s renewed commitment to strengthen national security through enhanced screening measures.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs reacts to new US visa policy
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through Kimiebi Ebienfa, reacted to the statement, saying that the ministry is aware of the development, noting that the ministry had been informed before the official announcement by the US Mission in Nigeria, as reported by The Punch.
However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson noted that the FG will carry out a reciprocal action, saying that US citizens applying for a Nigerian visa will face similar visa requirements.
“We are aware of the development. I think it’s part of the new measures they informed us before now that they will implement. Well, they mentioned those issues before.
“So, on things of this nature, the best we can do is to carry out reciprocal action. Some people from the US might want to apply for a visa, and we will adopt the same measures.
‘’I think that’s what the government might do because anything visa is reciprocal. What you are mandating our nationals to do, we will also mandate your citizens applying for our visa to do,’’ he said.
FG to decide new approach for visa regulation
Ebienfa said the FG will hold an inter-agency meeting to decide on the optimal approach for responding to the newly implemented visa regulation.
Ebienfa further explained that the FG will hold an inclusive meeting involving the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Interior, and the National Intelligence Agency.
“So, the stakeholders that are involved will have a meeting and agree on our best way to respond to it holistically,” Ebienfa concluded.
Source: Twitter
Six visa requirements Nigerians must meet
Legit.ng previously reported that the United States issued a new directive to visa applicants in Nigeria seeking to travel to America. US visa applicants are expected to disclose all social media usernames and handles over the past five years.
This is part of the US visa application process as announced by the United States Mission in Nigeria on Monday, August 18, 2025, via its X handle @USinNigeria.
Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
