The United States Department of State has ordered all Nigerian visa applicants to provide details of their social media history covering the past five years.
In an update posted on X on Monday, the US Mission in Nigeria warned that applicants who fail to disclose the information risk visa denial and possible ineligibility for future applications.
“Visa applicants must list all social media usernames or handles used in the last five years on the DS-160 visa application form. Applicants certify that their submissions are true and correct before signing and submitting. Omitting social media information could lead to visa denial and ineligibility for future visas,” the Mission stated.
The new requirement follows a series of tighter migration and deportation policies introduced by President Donald Trump since beginning his second term in January.
Last month, the US Mission began screening social media accounts of Nigerians applying for F, M, and J non-immigrant visas as part of national security measures. On Monday, the policy was extended to all categories of visa applicants of Nigerian origin.
In July, the Mission also restricted non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas issued to Nigerians to a single entry with a three-month validity. It said the step aligned with the Trump administration’s reciprocal visa policy affecting several countries.
Visas issued before 8 July 2025 will retain their validity, the Mission clarified.
President Trump, who resumed office on 20 January 2025, has launched mass deportation raids targeting undocumented immigrants. The measures have drawn mixed reactions globally, with critics accusing him of discrimination while supporters hail his stance on national security.
Nigeria remains the largest source of African immigrants in the US, with more than 376,000 Nigerians recorded as residents in 2015. The diaspora community contributes over $20 billion annually to Nigeria’s economy, according to World Bank data.