Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka has revealed that the United States of America has revoked his entry visa, effectively barring him from entering the country.
Soyinka made the revelation during a press briefing at Kongi’s Harvest Gallery, Freedom Park, Lagos, on Tuesday, where he expressed surprise and confusion over the decision.
“It is necessary for me to hold this conference so that those in the United States expecting me for events do not waste their time. 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 literary icon told journalists.
The U.S. Consulate, according to Soyinka, communicated the decision in a letter dated October 23, 2025, signed by officials of its Non-Immigrant Visa (NIV) Section. The letter, which he displayed to reporters, read in part:
“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as official notification by the United States Consulate General in Lagos that the nonimmigrant visa listed below has been revoked pursuant to the authority contained in U.S. Department of State regulations.”
Soyinka said he was unaware of any wrongdoing that could have led to the revocation, stressing that he had maintained cordial relations with U.S. officials for decades.
“I’m still reviewing my past history. I have no criminal record, felony, or misdemeanour that would justify this revocation,” he said. “I’ve started reflecting—have I ever misbehaved toward the United States? Do I have a history? Have I ever gone against the law anywhere?”
He disclosed that he initially suspected the letter was a scam, given the rise in visa-related fraud.
“At first, I thought it might be part of an advance-fee fraud targeting visa applicants. Only after verifying its authenticity did I consider it genuine,” Soyinka said.
The development has sparked speculation about possible diplomatic or administrative reasons behind the decision, though neither the U.S. Consulate nor Washington authorities have publicly commented on the matter.
Soyinka, who has long enjoyed a close academic and cultural relationship with the U.S., described the revocation as “puzzling and unfortunate.”
“My relationship with U.S. ambassadors, consuls general, and cultural attachés has always been courteous, making this development all the more baffling,” he added.
As of press time, the U.S. government has not issued an official statement explaining the reason for the visa withdrawal.
