Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka has revealed that the United States has revoked his visa, effectively barring him from entering the country. The 91-year-old literary icon made the announcement at a media briefing at Kongi’s Harvest Gallery, Freedom Park, Lagos Island, on Tuesday.
The revocation prevents him from attending scheduled speaking engagements in the US, a development he is still trying to understand.
“It is necessary for me to hold this conference so that people in the United States who are expecting me for this event or that event do not waste their time. I have no visa; I am banned, obviously, from the United States. And if you want to see me, you know where to find me,” he told journalists.
Notification and Bewilderment
Soyinka said he was notified by the US Consulate in Lagos through an official letter dated October 23, 2025. The letter, issued by the Nonimmigrant Visa (NIV) Section of the consulate, stated that the visa had been revoked pursuant to the authority contained in U.S. Department of State regulations.
The playwright expressed deep bewilderment over the decision, noting that he is unaware of any past actions that would warrant such a move.
“I’m still looking into my past history… I don’t have any past criminal record or even a felony or misdemeanour to qualify for the revocation. Have I ever misbehaved toward the United States? Do I have a history? Have I been convicted? Have I gone against the law anywhere?” he queried.
The celebrated activist and scholar also recalled that he had declined an invitation from the US Consulate for a visa re-interview scheduled for September 11, which was targeted at Nigerians holding B1/B2 visas (temporary non-immigrant visas for business or tourism). He initially suspected the invitation might have been a scam.
He noted that his past interactions with US ambassadors and consuls general had always been courteous, making the current decision a profound shock.
Source: Premium Times
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