U.S Revokes Wole Soyinka’s Visa, Bars Nobel Laureate’s Entry

The United States government has revoked the visa of Nigeria’s Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, effectively barring him from entering the country.

Soyinka made this known on Tuesday during a media parley held at Kongi’s Harvest Gallery, Freedom Park, Lagos Island. He expressed surprise at the development, saying he was unaware of any wrongdoing 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 one event or another do not waste their time,” Soyinka 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.”

According to the Nobel Laureate, the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos officially notified him of the visa revocation in a letter dated October 23, 2025.

A portion of the letter, which Soyinka shared with journalists, read:

“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as official notification by the United States Consulate General in Lagos that the nonimmigrant visa listed below has been revoked pursuant to the authority contained in U.S. Department of State regulations.”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, issued by the Consulate’s Nonimmigrant Visa (NIV) Section, did not specify any reason for the revocation.

Soyinka said the decision left him puzzled, noting that he had no criminal history or legal issue that could justify such an action.

“I’m still looking into my past history… I don’t have any criminal record, not even a misdemeanour, to qualify for this revocation,” he said.

“I’ve been asking myself—have I ever misbehaved toward the United States of America? Have I been convicted or violated any law anywhere?”

The reason for the revocation remains unclear, although it comes amid the U.S. government’s ongoing efforts to tighten immigration procedures and reduce the influx of foreign visitors.

In September, PM News reported that Soyinka had declined an invitation from the U.S. Consulate to appear for a visa re-interview scheduled for September 11, 2025. The invitation, sent to holders of B1/B2 nonimmigrant visas, requested revalidation interviews for business and tourism travelers.

At the time, Soyinka said he initially thought the letter was fake.

“I assumed it was a scam—one of those advance-fee fraud messages that target people seeking visas. I even wondered if it had been generated by AI,” he told PM News in September.

Upon confirming the letter’s authenticity, Soyinka said he reflected on his longstanding cordial relationship with successive U.S. ambassadors, consuls general, and cultural attachés.

“As you know, it has always been a courteous relationship,” he added.

Despite the setback, the 1986 Nobel Prize winner said he does not consider the matter personal but hopes to receive clarity from U.S. authorities soon.