Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka has revealed that the United States has revoked his visa, preventing him from entering the country.
He made the announcement during a media briefing at Kongi’s Harvest Gallery, Freedom Park, Lagos Island, expressing surprise over the development.
Soyinka said he was unaware of any action on his part that could justify the visa revocation.
“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.
The reason for the revocation remains unclear. Soyinka shared that the US Consulate in Lagos notified him of the action in a letter dated October 23, 2025.
The letter, issued by the Nonimmigrant Visa (NIV) Section, stated that his visa was revoked pursuant to US Department of State regulations.
Expressing confusion, Soyinka said, “I’m still reviewing my past history… I don’t have any criminal record or history that could justify this revocation. I am trying to understand if I have ever misbehaved toward the United States or broken any law.”
Earlier, Soyinka had declined an invitation from the US Consulate for a visa re-interview scheduled for September 11, 2025, which was part of a review for Nigerians holding B1/B2 visas for business or tourism.
He also noted his initial disbelief upon receiving the letter, joking that he thought it might be an advance-fee scam or even an AI-generated notification.
“By the time I realized the letter was genuine, I considered my past interactions with US ambassadors and officials. I’ve always maintained a courteous relationship,” Soyinka said.
