By Ebi Kesiena
The Federal Government has announced plans to reciprocate the new visa requirements recently introduced by the United States, which mandate Nigerian applicants to disclose their social media history spanning the last five years.
In a statement, the U.S. Mission in Nigeria said all visa applicants would now be required to list usernames or handles of every social media platform they have used over the past five years when filling out the DS-160 visa application form. The embassy further warned that providing false or incomplete information could result in visa denial or even a permanent ban from entering the United States.
“Applicants certify that the information in their visa application is true and correct before they sign and submit. Omitting social media information could lead to visa denial and ineligibility for future visas,” the U.S. Mission stated.
Reacting to the policy, the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the government is considering a reciprocal response. Ministry spokesman, Kimiebi Ebienfa, explained that Nigeria was already aware of the U.S. decision and would convene a meeting with relevant stakeholders to determine its response.
“We are aware of the development. It is part of the new measures they had previously informed us they would implement,” Ebienfa said.
He stressed that visa regulations are reciprocal in nature and suggested that American citizens applying for Nigerian visas could soon be subjected to similar requirements.
“So, on things of this nature, the best we can do is to carry out reciprocal action. Some people from the U.S. might want to apply for a visa, and we will adopt the same measures. 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 added.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government is expected to announce its official stance after consultations with key agencies and stakeholders.
