Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka has revealed that the United States government has revoked his visa, effectively barring his entry into the country.
Soyinka made the disclosure on Tuesday during a media briefing at Kongi’s Harvest Gallery, Freedom Park, Lagos, saying he was unaware of any action that could have led to the decision.
“It is necessary for me to hold this conference so that people in the United States who are expecting me for certain events 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 reason for the visa withdrawal remains unclear. Soyinka said the U.S. Consulate informed him of the revocation in a letter dated October 23, 2025, without offering an explanation. The letter, issued by the Non-Immigrant Visa (NIV) Section of the Consulate, stated that his visa had been revoked under U.S. Department of State regulations.
Soyinka expressed confusion about the move, insisting he has no criminal history or record of misconduct. “I’m still looking into my past history. I don’t have any criminal record or even a misdemeanor to qualify for the revocation,” he said. “Have I ever misbehaved toward the United States? Have I been convicted? Have I gone against the law anywhere?”
The literary icon suggested the revocation may be linked to a previous visa-related issue. In September 2025, Soyinka told PM News that he had declined a U.S. Consulate invitation for a re-interview concerning his B1/B2 visa, a category meant for short-term business and tourism.
At the time, he said he initially dismissed the invitation letter as fraudulent, believing it might have been generated by scammers or artificial intelligence, but later confirmed its authenticity.
Soyinka, who has long maintained cordial relations with U.S. diplomats, said the development came as a surprise. “My relationship with past ambassadors and consuls has always been courteous,” he added.
The U.S. government has in recent months tightened visa regulations as part of broader efforts to manage immigration and entry protocols. However, it remains unclear if Soyinka’s case is connected to that policy shift.
