Nobel Laureate and Africa’s foremost literary icon, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has revealed that his United States visa has been revoked, effectively banning him from entering the country he once described as a “second home.”
In a revelation that has stirred public debate across Nigeria and beyond, the 91-year-old playwright disclosed that the U.S. Consulate in Lagos sent him a formal letter on October 23, 2025, directing him to return his passport for “physical cancellation” of his visa. The letter cited the emergence of unspecified “additional information” after the visa was issued — a reason many observers find vague and troubling.
“I have no visa. I am banned obviously from the United States. If you want to see me, you know where to find me,” Soyinka told reporters at a Lagos briefing.
Soyinka, known globally for his unflinching voice against oppression and injustice, said he would not be reapplying for a U.S. visa, describing the revocation as a “closure of chapter.”
From Green Card to Visa Loss: A Long-Running Tension
This isn’t the first time Soyinka has had a public falling-out with the United States.
In 2016, shortly after Donald Trump’s election victory, the Nobel laureate made headlines for declaring that he would tear up his U.S. Green Card if Trump won. True to his word, he did — describing the act as a protest against the rise of “xenophobic nationalism.”
At the time, Soyinka said he could not “live in a country ruled by someone like Trump,” and would instead focus his energy on rebuilding intellectual and civic life in Nigeria and Africa.
Today’s visa revocation marks a fresh chapter in what has been an uneasy relationship between the iconic writer and Washington.
U.S. Tightens Visa Rules for Nigerians
Analysts say Soyinka’s case may reflect a broader tightening of U.S. visa policies toward Nigerians.
In mid-2025, the U.S. Embassy revised its policy, reducing most non-immigrant visas from five-year multiple-entry to three-month single-entry permits.
While the U.S. Consulate has not publicly explained the reasons behind Soyinka’s visa cancellation, some diplomatic watchers believe it could be linked to increased security vetting, while others see a political undertone, given Soyinka’s strong criticism of Trump and other right-wing American policies.
Global Shock, Nigerian Reactions
The announcement has triggered strong reactions from Nigerians at home and abroad.
Cultural organizations, academics, and rights activists are demanding clarity from the U.S. government, describing the move as a “disservice to one of Africa’s greatest intellectual exports.”
Soyinka, however, appeared unbothered.
“They can keep their visa. I have the world to move in,” he said, maintaining his characteristic composure and defiance.
Soyinka’s Legacy Beyond Borders
Prof. Wole Soyinka — Africa’s first Nobel Prize winner in Literature — has taught at prestigious universities including Harvard, Cornell, and Yale.
His influence on global literature and human rights advocacy spans more than six decades.
Even as his access to the U.S. is now cut off, Soyinka insists his global mission will continue:
“This does not stop my work. It only proves how small the world can become when bureaucracy replaces humanity,” he remarked.
