Professor Wole Soyinka today sensationally announced that the United States of America has revoked his visa to the country.
The Nobel Laureate made this known on Tuesday during a meeting with journalists held at Kongi’s Harvest Gallery, Freedom Park, Lagos Island
The globally celebrated writer expressed shock at the US action, saying that he was oblivious of what could have warranted the development.
“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 said.
Soyinka said the US Consulate informed him of the revocation in a letter dated October 23, 2025.
“This letter serves as official notification by the United States Consulate General in Lagos that the nonimmigrant visa listed below has been revoked pursuant to the authority contained in U.S. Department of State regulations,” part of the letter read by Soyinka, said.
The letter was issued by the NIV Section of the Consulate.
The Nobel Laureate expressed confusion over the development, saying, “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.
“I’ve started looking back—have I ever misbehaved toward the United States of America? Do I have a history? Have I been convicted? Have I gone against the law anywhere?”
Soyinka, who won the Nobel Laureate in Literature (1986), expressed surprise and confusion over the decision, stating that he was unaware of any wrongdoing that could have led to the revocation. He believes the action is linked to his criticism of former U.S. President Donald Trump and his policies.⁴
Soyinka had previously torn up his U.S. Green Card in protest after Trump’s 2016 election victory and had declined a U.S. Consulate invitation for a visa re-interview in September 2025, citing the date’s historical significance as the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
