The United States Mission in Nigeria has introduced a new requirement for visa applicants, directing them to submit details of all social media accounts they have used in the past five years.
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The directive, announced on Monday through the Mission’s official X account, is part of measures by the U.S. Department of State to strengthen national security through improved vetting processes.
According to the new guideline, Nigerians applying for a U.S. visa are expected to provide their usernames or handles from any social media platform on the DS-160 application form. Officials cautioned that failure to disclose this information may result in a visa refusal and possible ineligibility for future applications.
The Mission further explained that applicants are required to certify that all details provided are accurate. It stressed that obtaining a U.S. visa is considered a privilege rather than a right, adding that the additional screening step is designed to protect both national security and public safety.
