Nigeria’s Nobel Laureate and playwright, Professor Wole Soyinka, says that the United States Government has permanently revoked his visa.
Soyinka told a news conference on Tuesday in Lagos that he received an official letter from the U.S. Consulate dated October 23, 2025, informing him that his B1/B2 visa had been withdrawn under U.S. Department of State regulations.
According to Soyinka, the letter stated that the visa was revoked because “additional information became available” after it was issued.
Soyinka, however, said that he was unaware of any wrongdoing or reason that could have led to the decision.
“I am still reviewing my past history. I have no criminal record, felony, or misdemeanour that would justify this revocation,” Soyinka said, adding that he initially thought the letter was a scam until he verified its authenticity.
The report by Arise News said that 89-year-old writer, however, linked the development to his criticism of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s policies, recalling that he tore his American Green Card in 2016 as a protest against racism and divisive politics.
Soyinka said that the Consulate had earlier invited him for a visa revalidation interview, which he ignored, insisting that such an invitation was unnecessary and that it might have influenced the final decision to revoke his visa.
The Nobel laureate stated that in spite of the revocation of his visa, he bears no grudge against the US Government and would continue to welcome Americans to his home in Abeokuta.
“I will continue to welcome any American to my home if they have anything legitimate to do with me,” he said.
Soyinka assured that the revocation would not stop him from speaking out against injustice and “Silence in the face of prejudice is as dangerous as the act itself.”
GIK/APA