Social media disclosure: Nigerians react as FG vows to reciprocate US visa policy

T he Federal Government has vowed to reciprocate a new US visa policy that mandates Nigerian non-migrant visa applicants to disclose their social media profiles and activities in the last five years during application.

The US Mission had said on Monday that Nigerian visa applicants are required to provide a comprehensive list of their social media profiles on the DS-160 visa application form.

It warned that omitting the information could lead to visa denials and potential ineligibility for future US visas.

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“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 US Mission said.

Reacting to the development, spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said the Ministry is aware of the development, having been informed ahead of the announcement by the US Mission in Nigeria.

He, however, said the FG will carry out reciprocal action, stressing that US citizens intending to visit Nigeria will be subjected to the same measures.

“On things of this nature, 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.

“I think that’s what the government might do because 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 said.

He said the FG will convene an inter-agency meeting to agree on the best way to respond to the new visa regulation.

Nigerians react

Several Nigerians have taken to online platforms to express their views on the latest directive by the United States Embassy in Abuja that all non-immigrant visa applicants must now submit details of their social media accounts from the past five years.

Their reactions ranged from concern to outright rejection.

Abubakar Jamo questioned the broader implications of the policy, suggesting it may be influencing online behavior.

“No wonder some Nigerians on social media have refused to make anti-US/Israel comments on what is clearly genocide by all standards of humanity,” he said.

Mustapha Musa dismissed the need to travel to the United States altogether, citing longstanding criticisms of its foreign policy.

“I have nothing to do with going to the most crime-ridden country in the world. My comments over the years were critical of the US style of government, particularly its double standards.

“Nothing will ever take me to the US in my life. If you like, include phone call history in your restrictions too,” he said.

Dan Iya Fagge raised concerns about perceived inconsistencies in US policies, saying, “The US never set these kinds of restrictions for the money stolen from Nigeria and deposited illegally in their banks”.

Suleiman Mohammed also voiced his disinterest in visiting the US, citing safety concerns. “Funny. Thank God I don’t have the need to go to America, a place where someone can shoot you dead for your wallet. Gun violence is everywhere in the USA. I travelled to China and saw the wonders of technology and the brilliance of the Chinese people,” he said.

Abdurrazaq Taofiq welcomed the idea of stricter vetting but called for fairness in the visa process. “That’s good. But if they want to be sincere, let them come with clean hands. No payment of visa fees until you’re qualified and approved. Not that they collect your money and still deny you,” he said.

Uche Uzoma raised a practical concern about the new requirement. “So, what if the applicant lost all his or her original social media accounts and just registered new ones that lasted for just one year before applying, does that mean they won’t grant the visa?” he rhetorically asked.

Aliyu Isah Aliyu expressed a preference for alternative destinations. “Who are those still interested in the USA? I don’t see it as a place to go, even in the future. When it comes to business, China is more favourable to us,” he said.

Source: DailyTrust | Read Full Story…