The Federal Government has announced that it will introduce a reciprocal visa policy in response to new U.S. requirements that compel Nigerian applicants to disclose their social media profiles and activities.
The U.S. Mission in Nigeria confirmed that all Nigerian visa applicants must now provide a comprehensive list of their social media handles as part of the DS-160 visa application process. The Mission also warned that failure to submit the required information could result in visa denial and possible ineligibility for future applications.
Reacting to the development on Monday, the spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said the Nigerian government was formally notified of the policy before its public announcement. He stressed that the Federal Government would enforce the principle of reciprocity in its visa regime.
“Just as the United States has introduced additional requirements for Nigerian applicants, U.S. citizens seeking Nigerian visas will be subjected to the same process. This ensures balance and fairness in our diplomatic engagements,” Ebienfa stated.
The decision signals Nigeria’s firm stance on protecting the rights of its citizens in global mobility, while also emphasizing the principle of equal treatment in bilateral relations.
The new policy, once implemented, means American travelers to Nigeria will have to disclose their social media details as part of their visa application, mirroring the measures introduced by Washington.
