By NOBEL laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has expressed surprise and confusion following the United States’ decision to revoke his visa, effectively preventing him from travelling to the country for the time being.
Soyinka disclosed this on Tuesday during a press conference held at Kongi’s Harvest Gallery, Freedom Park, Lagos Island, where he addressed journalists about the unexpected development.
The literary icon explained that the revocation came without warning or justification, adding that he was unaware of any offence that could have prompted such action.
“It became necessary for me to hold this conference so that people in the United States who are expecting me at various events will 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 him, the United States Consulate in Lagos informed him of the revocation through a letter dated 23 October 2025.
The letter, issued by the Non-Immigrant Visa (NIV) Section of the Consulate, 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as official notification by the United States Consulate General in Lagos that the nonimmigrant visa listed below has been revoked pursuant to the authority contained in U.S. Department of State regulations.”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 still trying to understand the reasons behind the decision, stressing that he has never been involved in any criminal activity or misconduct either in the United States or anywhere else in the world.
“I’m still searching my past for any possible offence,” he remarked. “I don’t have any criminal record, felony, or misdemeanour that would justify the revocation. I’ve begun to ask myself: have I ever misbehaved toward the United States of America? Have I ever broken any law?”
The 1986 Nobel Prize winner, known globally for his activism and literary brilliance, expressed his bewilderment at the development but said he would continue his work undeterred.
As of press time, the United States Consulate in Lagos had not provided further clarification regarding the reasons for the revocation.
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