Nigeria Signals Retaliation Over U.S. Visa Social Media Demands

On August 18, 2025, the United States Mission in Nigeria issued a stern reminder to those filling out the DS-160 form for non-immigrant visas: applicants must now disclose all social media usernames or handles used over the past five years, across any platform. This includes every email, username, handle, or phone number associated with a social media profile. Applicants must certify the accuracy of this information before submitting. Failure to do so, intentionally or not, could result in visa denial and even a ban on future applications.

This directive builds on earlier measures targeting student and exchange visas. Previously, applicants for student visas in categories such as F, M, and J were required not only to declare their handles but also to make their social media profiles public for vetting purposes.

Nigeria’s federal government responded swiftly. On August 19, 2025, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Nigeria will implement reciprocal measures, meaning U.S. citizens applying for Nigerian visas could be subjected to the same social media disclosure requirements. Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the ministry, said Nigeria will convene an inter-agency meeting—including the Ministry of Interior and the National Intelligence Agency—to coordinate its response.

This escalation underscores how visa policies have become a diplomatic flashpoint: digital transparency is now embedded in global mobility. It is also a reminder that visa systems are reciprocal—any requirement imposed may be mirrored, as Nigeria has made clear.