The United States government has revoked the non-immigrant visa of renowned Nigerian Nobel laureate, Wole Soyinka.
The decision was communicated to Soyinka in a letter dated October 23, 2025, by the US Consulate General in Lagos, which cited “additional information” that became available after the visa was issued.
Soyinka expressed his surprise and confusion over the development during a media parley held in Lagos. “I have no visa; I am banned, obviously, from the United States,” he said, adding that he was unaware of any wrongdoing that could have led to the revocation.
The Nobel laureate noted that he applied for the visa to resolve a tax issue with the US Internal Revenue Service and wondered if his criticism of US President Donald Trump, whom he described as “Idi Amin in white face,” might have contributed to the decision.
The US Embassy in Nigeria has not provided a detailed explanation for the revocation, but Soyinka’s case has sparked debate about freedom of speech and diplomatic relations between the US and Nigeria.
Soyinka, who renounced his US green card in 2016 after Trump’s election, emphasized that he would continue to welcome American citizens to his home and speak out against injustice and bad governance.
Soyinka’s Reaction
Soyinka addressed the media to inform the public about his visa revocation, ensuring that those expecting him for events in the US would not waste their time.
He jokingly suggested that he might write a play about Trump, offering a “literary compliment” that might prompt the US government to reconsider its decision.
The revocation of Soyinka’s visa has raised concerns about the US government’s stance on freedom of speech and its implications for diplomatic relations with Nigeria.
