US Permanently Revokes Soyinka’s Visa
Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka claims his visa has been permanently withdrawn by the United States.
Professor Wole Soyinka, a dramatist and Nobel laureate, has disclosed that his visa has been permanently canceled by the US authorities.
Speaking at a press conference Tuesday at Freedom Park in Lagos, Soyinka claimed he was notified via formal letter dated October 23, 2025, from the U.S. Consulate that his B1/B2 visa had been revoked in accordance with U.S. Department of State standards.
According to the letter, the visa was canceled because “additional information became available” after it was issued, he clarified. But according to Soyinka, he was not aware of any misconduct or factor that might have influenced the choice.
“I’m still looking over my past. According to Soyinka, he first believed the letter was a hoax until he confirmed its legitimacy. “I have no criminal record, felony, or misdemeanor that would justify this revocation,” he added.
Recalling that he tore his American Green Card in 2016 in protest of bigotry and divisive politics, the 89-year-old author connected the development to his disapproval of former US President Donald Trump’s policies.
According to Soyinka, the Consulate had previously asked him for an interview for visa revalidation, but he disregarded the invitation, claiming it was pointless. This could have affected the ultimate decision to cancel his visa, he continued.
The Nobel laureate stated that he had no ill will against the U.S. government and would still welcome Americans to his Abeokuta residence in spite of the revocation.
He declared, “If an American has anything rightfully to do with me, I will continue to welcome them to my home.”
He also recalled other run-ins with U.S. authorities, which he described as “minor misunderstandings,” including a confrontation at Chicago Airport in the 1970s and a fine for bringing chilli peppers into the nation.
He stated, “I don’t believe those two incidents are sufficient to categorize me as having a criminal record in the United States.”
“Silence in the face of prejudice is as dangerous as the act itself,” Soyinka said in closing, adding that the revocation will not deter him from speaking out against injustice.
