The Federal Government of Nigeria has vowed to impose reciprocal visa requirements on United States citizens in response to a new US policy that mandates Nigerian applicants to disclose their social media history. The new US regulations, which took effect on Monday, August 18, 2025, require applicants to list all social media usernames and handles they have used over the past five years on the DS-160 visa application form.
According to the U.S. Mission in Nigeria, this measure is part of a broader effort to strengthen national security and ensure thorough background checks. The mission warned that failing to provide complete information could lead to visa denials or a lifetime ban.
In a swift reaction, spokesman for Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, confirmed that Nigeria would adopt similar measures. “On things of this nature, the best we can do is to carry out reciprocal action,” he stated. “Some people from the US might want to apply for a visa, and we will adopt the same measures.”
Ebienfa announced that the government would hold an inter-agency meeting involving the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Interior, and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) to decide on a comprehensive response.
While the new US policy is now in effect, Nigeria has yet to officially implement its reciprocal measures. The Federal Government’s decision comes amid a period of heightened scrutiny over international travel regulations, with officials aiming to protect national interests through similar, retaliatory policies. The outcome of the inter-agency meeting will determine the specific requirements that will be applied to American visa applicants in the future.
