The United States Mission in Nigeria has defended its recent decision requiring all Nigerian visa applicants to submit a record of their social media handles from the past five years. The move, according to U.S. authorities, is a vital aspect of its broader national security framework.
The directive, announced last week, obliges applicants to provide their online identity on the DS-160 form. Any omission, the Mission warned, could lead to a denial of entry.
Nigeria has not taken the matter lightly. The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Abuja will enforce the same requirement for U.S. citizens seeking Nigerian visas. Foreign Affairs spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa remarked:
“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.”
On Monday, the U.S. Mission issued another statement on X, clarifying that the measure is part of its long-standing strategy to preserve the safety of American citizens and residents.
The statement read:
“The safety and security of the United States is at the heart of every US Visa application and decision process. That’s why prospective applicants undergo careful screening to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all. These measures help protect American citizens and communities while supporting secure and responsible travel.”
Frontpagenews.ng reports that this mutual enforcement underscores how both nations are seeking to balance national security interests with international mobility, even as concerns grow about privacy and freedom of expression in the digital era.
