The U.S. Mission in Nigeria has introduced a new requirement for visa applicants, mandating the disclosure of all social media usernames and handles used over the past five years as part of the visa application process.
The directive, announced via a post on the Mission’s official X account on Monday, aligns with the U.S. Department of State’s ongoing efforts to strengthen national security through enhanced vetting procedures.
According to the U.S. Mission, Nigerian applicants must provide a comprehensive list of their social media profiles on the DS-160 visa application form.
The requirement covers all platforms used within the specified timeframe. Failure to disclose this information could result in visa denials and potential ineligibility for future U.S. visas.
The Mission’s post stated: “Visa applicants are required to list all social media usernames or handles of every platform they have used from the last 5 years on the DS-160 visa application form.
“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 new measure has sparked discussions among applicants, with some expressing concerns over privacy, while others view it as a necessary step for security.
The U.S. Mission emphasised that the policy is part of a broader initiative to ensure thorough screening while maintaining transparency in the application process.