Nigerian Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka has revealed that the United States has revoked his non-immigrant visa, effectively barring him from entering the country for now.
On October 23, 2025, the U.S. Consulate General Lagos sent Soyinka a letter stating that his B1/B2 visa (a category for temporary business or tourist travel) had been revoked under the authority of the U.S. Department of State regulations.
The letter noted that “additional information became available after the visa was issued.”
At a press briefing held at Kongi’s Harvest Gallery, Freedom Park, Lagos Island, Soyinka told journalists: “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.”
He said he could not recall any wrongdoing on his part that might have triggered the revocation, emphasising that he had no criminal record, no felonies or misdemeanours in his past.
Soyinka’s visa was of the category B1/B2 and was issued on 02 April 2024 in Lagos.
In September 2025, the U.S. Consulate invited a number of Nigerians holding B1/B2 visas to present themselves for a “re-interview”. Soyinka said he initially thought the letter was fraudulent and declined the invitation.
Soyinka had earlier, in 2016, torn up his U.S. Green Card as a protest following the election of then-President Donald Trump.
Also, in July 2025, the U.S. changed its visa policy for Nigerians — non-immigrant visas previously valid for up to five years with multiple entries were trimmed to a single‐entry three-month permit in many cases.
Soyinka expressed bewilderment at the decision, saying he was still reviewing his records, asking himself: “Have I ever misbehaved toward the United States of America? Have I been convicted? Have I gone against the law anywhere?”
He clarified that his press conference was held so that any U.S.-based institutions or individuals who expected his presence wouldn’t “waste their time”.
While maintaining no hostility toward the U.S. as a country, he implied that the move felt punitive and unexplained.
For a figure of Soyinka’s stature — Nobel laureate in Literature (1986) — the revocation of a visa by the U.S. is astonishing and raises questions about transparency in visa revocation decisions.
The timing comes amid a broader tightening of U.S. entry policies for Nigerians and other nationals, suggesting a more stringent approach to non-immigrant visa issuance, and perhaps re-validation.
Soyinka’s international mobility has been tied to his teaching stints at U.S. universities and speaking engagements; the revocation may limit his participation in U.S. events.
What is not yet clear is the letter he received does not cite a specific reason for the revocation beyond “additional information”.
The U.S. Embassy in Nigeria has not publicly commented on his individual case.
It is unclear whether Soyinka will apply for a new visa, or pursue any recourse or appeal.
