Renowned Nigerian playwright and Nobel laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka has confirmed that his U.S. non-immigrant visa has been permanently revoked by the United States Consulate in Lagos.
Soyinka revealed this during a press conference held at Freedom Park, Lagos, on Tuesday, October 27, where he read the contents of the letter notifying him of the decision.
“This letter serves as official notification that the non-immigrant visa listed below has been revoked pursuant to Department of State Regulations 22 CFR 41.122 and is no longer valid,” the document read in part.
The revocation affects his B1/B2 visa, issued on 2 April 2024, and according to Soyinka, was communicated on October 23.
He described the move as “bewildering,” suggesting it might be linked to his outspoken criticism of Donald Trump’s administration.
The 90-year-old writer, poet, and human rights advocate said the announcement was necessary to inform partners in the U.S. who might be expecting him for academic or cultural engagements.
“I have no visa; I am banned from the United States,” Soyinka said. “I have no criminal record or history of misconduct to justify this. I am still trying to understand what prompted it.”
Soyinka said he holds no animosity toward the U.S. and remains open to collaboration with Americans, emphasising his identity as a global citizen committed to justice and freedom of expression.
“I will continue to welcome Americans to my home. I have no issues with the people, but I will continue to speak against racism and wrong policies anywhere,” he said.
The development comes nearly nine years after Soyinka symbolically destroyed his U.S. Green Card in protest at Donald Trump’s 2016 election victory, declaring he would not live in a country led by the former president.
