Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka has revealed that the United States of America has revoked his visa, preventing him from entering the country for the time being.
Soyinka made the disclosure on Tuesday during a media briefing held at Kongi’s Harvest Gallery, Freedom Park, Lagos Island. He said he decided to make the matter public to inform those expecting him at upcoming engagements in the U.S. about his inability to attend.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
The literary icon expressed surprise over the development, saying he was unaware of any wrongdoing that could have prompted such a decision.
According to Soyinka, he received a letter from the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos dated October 23, 2025, formally notifying him of the visa revocation.
The letter, issued by the Non-Immigrant Visa (NIV) Section, reportedly stated:
“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as official notification by the United States Consulate General in Lagos that the nonimmigrant visa listed below has been revoked pursuant to the authority contained in U.S. Department of State regulations.”
The reason for the revocation, however, was not stated in the correspondence.
Soyinka explained that he has begun to review his past interactions and travel history to understand what might have triggered the action.
“I’m still looking into my past history… I don’t have any past criminal record or even a misdemeanor to qualify for the revocation,” he said.
“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?”
The professor also mentioned that he initially dismissed the letter as a possible scam or computer-generated message, given its unusual format.
“At first, I thought it was fake. I assumed it came from scammers who prey on those desperate for visas. It was only after verification that I realized it was genuine,” he explained.
Soyinka added that his relationship with U.S. diplomatic officials had always been cordial and expressed confusion over the sudden change in status.
His U.S. visa, classified as B1/B2, permits temporary visits for business or tourism.
The development comes amid tightened immigration policies by the U.S. government, although it remains unclear whether Soyinka’s case is connected to broader policy changes or specific administrative actions.
Despite the setback, the 89-year-old Nobel laureate reaffirmed his commitment to his literary and civic engagements in Nigeria, saying those who wish to reach him “know where to find him.”
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