FG to Retaliate as U.S. Imposes Stricter Visa Rules on Nigerians
The Federal Government has vowed to implement reciprocal measures following the latest visa regulations introduced by the United States, which now require Nigerian applicants to disclose their social media activity spanning the last five years.
The new directive, announced by the U.S. Mission in Nigeria via its official X handle, warned that failure to comply could result in visa denial or future ineligibility. The U.S. explained that the measure forms part of its broader immigration reforms aimed at safeguarding national security under President Donald Trump’s administration.
According to the guidelines, visa applicants must provide details of all social media usernames, email addresses, telephone numbers, and online platforms used within the stipulated period. The U.S. Mission emphasized that omission or falsification of such information could jeopardize applicants’ chances of obtaining or retaining a visa.
This expansion of screening requirements builds on an earlier policy targeted at international student visa seekers, who were compelled to list their online handles and relax privacy settings to enable thorough vetting.
In a parallel development, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has tightened its naturalisation process by introducing a “Good Moral Character” policy. Immigration officers are now mandated to evaluate not only applicants’ criminal records but also their lifestyle, societal contributions, adherence to community norms, and overall civic responsibility. Criteria include steady employment, community service, continued education, and consistent tax compliance.
Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department disclosed that over 6,000 student visas have been revoked since Secretary of State Marco Rubio assumed office seven months ago. The cancellations, largely tied to overstays, criminal offenses, and alleged support for terrorism, have predominantly affected international students. While officials did not provide a breakdown by nationality, Rubio has signalled a strong stance against Chinese students and activists critical of Israel.
The mass revocations and intensified screening have already sparked legal challenges. In two high-profile cases, U.S. judges ordered the release of detained students accused of anti-Israel activism, underscoring tensions between civil liberties and immigration enforcement.
Reacting to the U.S. policy, the Nigerian government described the move as discriminatory and reaffirmed its intention to adopt “equal and commensurate” visa measures against American citizens.
With both countries now poised for a potential diplomatic row over immigration control, the latest developments underscore the deepening complexities in U.S.–Nigeria relations, particularly in the areas of student mobility, human rights, and international diplomacy.
