The directive, announced by the U.S. Mission in Nigeria on Monday, August 18, 2025, aimed to enhance national security and protect the integrity of the US immigration system.
In an X update on Monday, the U.S. Mission in Nigeria said applicants who fail to disclose their five-year social media history risk visa denial.
“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 statement said.
The latest visa requirement for Nigerian applicants followed a raft of stiff migration and deportation policies by the Donald Trump presidency since January, when he assumed office for a second term.
Last month, the U.S. Mission in Nigeria commenced the screening of social media accounts of Nigerian applicants for F, M, and J non-immigrant visas to enhance America’s national security.
In its update on Monday, the Mission expanded the policy to all categories of visa applicants of Nigerian origin.
The new requirement followed a series of stiff migration and deportation policies introduced by the Donald Trump presidency since January 2025.
In July 2025, the U.S. Mission in Nigeria limited non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas issued to Nigerian citizens to single-entry permits with a three-month validity period.
The move aligns with the Trump administration’s reciprocal non-immigrant visa policy, impacting several countries, including Nigeria.
The U.S. government asserted that collecting social media information strengthens the visa vetting process and helps identify potential security threats.
Critics argued that requiring social media disclosure may infringe on individuals’ right to privacy and freedom of expression.
Approximately 376,000 Nigerian immigrants lived in the U.S. as of 2015, with Nigerians contributing over $20 billion annually to Nigeria’s economy through remittances.
