U.S. Mandates Nigerian Visa Applicants to Disclose 5-Year Social Media History

The U.S. Embassy in Nigeria has introduced a new directive requiring all visa applicants to disclose their social media usernames from the past five years on the DS-160 visa application form. The directive, announced by the U.S. Mission in Nigeria on August 16, 2025, mandates that applicants provide all usernames or handles used on social media platforms over the last five years. This step is part of a broader initiative to enhance background checks and verify the authenticity of applicants’ information [2].

According to the U.S. Mission’s public statement on X, applicants are expected to confirm the accuracy of the information they provide before submission. The statement explicitly warns that failure to disclose relevant social media activity may result in visa denial and ineligibility for future U.S. visa applications [2]. The policy aims to increase transparency in the vetting process and assist in verifying an applicant’s identity, qualifications, and potential security risks [1].

This update aligns with a broader trend in U.S. immigration and visa policy, where social media activity is increasingly viewed as a valuable tool for verification. The directive reflects the U.S. Department of State’s ongoing emphasis on national security, reinforcing the notion that a visa is a “privilege, not a right,” and that all applications are subject to security assessments [2]. The U.S. Mission also encouraged applicants to adjust their social media privacy settings to facilitate the verification process [2].

The new requirement has been introduced alongside other recent changes to U.S. non-immigrant visa rules. Last month, the U.S. Department of State announced that nearly all non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas issued to citizens of Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Nigeria would be single-entry and valid for only three months [2]. The U.S. cited this as part of a global reciprocity realignment. However, the Nigerian government has challenged this rationale, with the Presidential Spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, stating in July that Nigeria still offers U.S. citizens a five-year multiple-entry e-visa. Onanuga also criticized the U.S. claim of reciprocity, saying it does not accurately reflect the situation [2].

A former aide to President Muhammadu Buhari, Bashir Ahmad, suggested that the U.S. policy shift may not be solely about reciprocity. He argued on X that the move could reflect growing U.S. discomfort with Nigeria’s global realignment, particularly its increased engagement with the BRICS group [2]. Amid these developments, the U.S. Mission has also issued stern warnings about the consequences of overstaying visas, including permanent travel bans and potential criminal prosecution [2].

The U.S. Mission has warned that the implementation of stricter visa rules may lead to a decrease in the number of Nigerians receiving visas in the coming months. This is significant given Nigeria's position as the seventh-largest source of international students to the U.S. and the highest in Africa, according to a 2024 Open Doors report. A 2024 report from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs also noted a 13.5% increase in Nigerian student visa approvals compared to 2023 [2].

The inclusion of social media history in visa applications marks a significant shift in how authorities assess credibility and compliance with visa requirements. It also raises questions about privacy and digital security, especially in a country like Nigeria, where social media is widely used and often intersects with political and personal expression [2].

Source:

[1] https://technext24.com/2025/08/18/us-visa-nigeria-social-media-usernames/

[2] https://www.westernpost.ng/breaking-us-mandates-nigerian-visa-applicants-to-disclose-social-media-history/