Says I am banned from the United states
Professor Wole Soyinka,Nobel Laureate
Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has expressed shock and confusion after the United States government revoked his visa, effectively barring him from entering the country.
Speaking during a media parley at Kongi’s Harvest Gallery, Freedom Park, Lagos, on Tuesday, Soyinka said he received formal notification from the US Consulate in Lagos, dated October 23, 2025, stating that his non-immigrant visa had been revoked.
“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.
“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.
Soyinka, who appeared visibly puzzled by the development, said he was unaware of any wrongdoing that could have triggered such an action.
“I’m still looking into my past history. I don’t have any criminal record, felony, or misdemeanour to qualify for this revocation. I’ve started asking myself, have I ever misbehaved toward the United States of America? Have I gone against the law anywhere?” the poet added.
The letter from the Consulate, which Soyinka displayed to reporters, read in part: “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as official notification by the United States Consulate General in Lagos that the non-immigrant visa listed below has been revoked pursuant to the authority contained in U.S. Department of State regulations.”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 reason for the revocation remains unclear. However, in recent months, the US government has tightened immigration rules and taken steps to curb the influx of visitors and migrants.
Earlier in September, Soyinka had revealed that he declined an invitation by the US Consulate to attend a “visa re-interview” session for Nigerians holding B1/B2 visas.
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The celebrated writer, whose visa falls under this category, said at the time that he saw no reason to “re-qualify” for a document he had long held and lawfully used.
“I’m not applying for a new visa. If they want to cancel it, they are free to do so. I won’t be going for any re-interview,” he had said.
Now, with the revocation confirmed, Soyinka said he remains unbothered but deeply curious about the motive.
“I’m not losing any sleep over it, but I would like to know what sin I committed against the United States,” he said.
Culled from Newspeakonline
