KEY POINTS
- US expands social media checks for Nigerian visa applicants.
- Nigeria vows reciprocal visa requirements for US citizens.
- Policy seen as part of Trump-era immigration crackdown.
The United States has rolled out tougher visa application rules for Nigerians, requiring applicants to disclose all social media accounts and activity from the past five years.
The US Mission in Nigeria warned that failure to comply could lead to denial of visas and possibly block future entry.
Nigeria’s government quickly reacted, saying it would mirror the US requirements on Americans applying for Nigerian visas. Officials say an inter-agency panel will soon determine the scope of reciprocal measures.
US expands social media checks for Nigerians
The new rule, first introduced under the Trump administration’s immigration overhaul, requires applicants to submit usernames, email addresses, phone numbers and other identifiers tied to social media accounts. All platforms used in the last five years must be listed in the DS-160 visa form.
Applicants who omit or falsify details risk losing eligibility for future visas, the Mission said. Moreover the move is part of Washington’s broader immigration tightening strategy, which it argues is needed to protect national security.
Citizenship and student visas under new scrutiny
Furthermore the clampdown goes beyond visitors. US Citizenship and Immigration Services has widened its “Good Moral Character” policy, demanding immigration officers assess applicants’ lifestyle, community contribution and adherence to American norms, not just criminal records.
The State Department has also revoked more than 6,000 student visas since Secretary of State Marco Rubio took office, citing violations ranging from overstays to criminal offenses. Officials said the majority of revoked visas involved students from Asia, particularly China.
Nigeria also promises reciprocal visa action
Nigeria’s Foreign Ministry said it was informed in advance of Washington’s plan and will respond in kind. “Anything visa is reciprocal,” ministry spokesman Kimiebi Ebienfa said, also adding that US applicants will be subjected to similar scrutiny.
The government plans to convene officials from the Foreign Affairs and Interior ministries as well as intelligence agencies to decide its response. The latest spat follows earlier US restrictions, including shorter validity periods for Nigerian visas.
