The United States Embassy in Nigeria has called on American citizens travelling abroad to register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), a free service designed to keep the embassy informed of a traveller's location and travel dates. The announcement was made via the embassy's official X account on Wednesday, August 6, 2026.
What the STEP Programme Offers
According to the US Embassy, STEP allows travellers to notify a US Embassy or Consulate of their presence and travel itinerary while overseas. Once enrolled, participants receive safety and security alerts issued by the embassy for the country they are visiting. The embassy described the programme as a way to give travellers "added peace of mind," noting that users can set their own travel dates and unsubscribe from alerts at any time.
"For some added peace of mind while traveling abroad, sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to let the U.S. Embassy know you're in country and to receive any safety and security alerts that they send out to U.S. citizens during your trip. You choose the dates and can unsubscribe at any time," the embassy wrote in its post.
How to Sign Up
Registration is handled through the STEP portal at step.state.gov. The platform is managed by the US Department of State and is available to all American citizens travelling or living outside the United States. The programme is particularly relevant for US citizens based in or visiting Nigeria, where the embassy regularly issues security alerts covering various parts of the country.
Context: US Visa Revocation Policy
In a related development, the administration of President Donald Trump has announced the revocation of visas issued to several foreign nationals accused of serious violent crimes. In a series of statements posted on its official X account on Thursday, August 6, the U.S. Department of State said the government was using "every available tool" to deny visas to applicants with violent criminal histories and remove foreign nationals who pose a threat to Americans.
