By Peter Omopo
LAGOS | October 28, 2025 — Nigeria’s Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, on Tuesday revealed that the United States of America has revoked his entry visa, effectively preventing him from travelling to the country.
Soyinka made the disclosure during a press briefing at Kongi’s Harvest Gallery, Freedom Park, Lagos Island, stating that he had received no prior warning or explanation for the decision.
“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,” 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.”
The literary icon said the U.S. Consulate in Lagos informed him of the revocation in an official letter dated October 23, 2025, signed by the Non-Immigrant Visa (NIV) Section.
Part 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as official notification by the United States Consulate General in Lagos that the non-immigrant visa listed below has been revoked pursuant to the authority contained in U.S. Department of State regulations.”
The reasons for the revocation remain unclear. Soyinka, 90, said he was unaware of any conduct that could have warranted such a move.
“I’m still looking into my past history. I don’t have any criminal record or even a misdemeanour to qualify for the revocation,” he said.
“I thought perhaps it was a scam when I first received the letter. I even considered that artificial intelligence might have generated it. It was so unusual.”
Soyinka’s visa, classified as B1/B2—a temporary non-immigrant visa for business and tourism—had reportedly been valid before the sudden cancellation.
PM News had earlier reported in September 2025 that Soyinka declined an invitation by the U.S. Consulate in Nigeria for a “visa re-interview,” which the Consulate had scheduled for September 11 as part of a broader review process for holders of certain U.S. visas.
Although the U.S. Embassy has yet to issue an official explanation, diplomatic observers suggest the decision may be part of heightened visa scrutiny under new U.S. immigration measures aimed at tightening border control and reviewing foreign entry eligibility.
Soyinka, however, emphasized that the issue transcended personal inconvenience, calling for transparency and accountability in diplomatic procedures.
“This is not a personal issue,” he said. “I have always maintained cordial relations with the U.S. mission and its officials. I can only hope this is an administrative misunderstanding.”
Meanwhile, reactions have begun to trail the development, with human rights activist Omoyele Sowore describing the revocation as “unjust and disrespectful to one of Africa’s most revered intellectuals.”
As of press time, neither the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria nor the U.S. Department of State had responded to inquiries regarding the reason for the revocation.
