Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka announced on Tuesday that the United States has revoked his visa, effectively barring his entry into the country for now.
Speaking at a media briefing held at Kongi’s Harvest Gallery, Freedom Park, Lagos Island, Soyinka said he was unaware of any reason that might have warranted the visa revocation.
“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. I have no visa; I am obviously banned from the United States. And if you want to see me, you know where to find me,” Soyinka told reporters.
The exact reason for the revocation remains unclear, and Soyinka said he was still seeking answers. Recent policy changes by the US government to limit immigration have seen a stricter stance on visas.
Soyinka revealed that the US Consulate informed him through a letter dated October 23, 2025. According to the document, part of which was shown to our correspondent, the revocation followed the Department of State regulations.
“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as official notification by the United States Consulate General in Lagos that the nonimmigrant visa listed below has been revoked pursuant to the authority contained in U.S. Department of State regulations,” the letter stated. It was signed by the Nonimmigrant Visa (NIV) Section of the Consulate.
Expressing confusion over the development, Soyinka said, “I’m still reviewing my past history… I do not have any criminal record, felony, or misdemeanor that could justify the revocation. I’ve looked back—have I ever misbehaved toward the United States? Was I ever convicted or did I ever break any law?”
Earlier, PM News reported on September 10, 2025, that Soyinka had declined an invitation for a US visa re-interview scheduled for September 11. The Consulate had asked Nigerian holders of B1/B2 visas to appear for what it termed a “visa interview.”
Soyinka’s visa was of the B1/B2 category, which is for temporary non-immigrant travel to the US for business or tourism.
He further explained, “For me, this is not a personal issue. At first, I thought the letter was fake, perhaps an advance-fee fraud targeting visa seekers. I thought maybe AI-generated generic letters were being sent. It was quite strange.
“When I accepted it was genuine, I reflected on my cordial relationships with US ambassadors, consuls, and cultural attachés. It has always been respectful.”
Soyinka’s visa revocation adds to growing scrutiny and tightening of visa protocols by the US in recent months. The Nobel laureate remains unavailable for US trips pending further clarification.
