The United States has revoked the B1/B2 visa of Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka.
A B1/B2 visa is a temporary non-immigrant visa for business or tourism purposes.
Soyinka revealed the development during a news conference themed: “Unending Saga: Idi Amin in Whiteface!” held at Kongi’s Harvest Gallery, Freedom Park, Lagos yesterday.
He explained that no reason was given for the action by the U.S.
The revocation, he told reporters, appeared to be a form of witch-hunt, which he linked to his long-standing criticism of the policies of U.S. President Donald Trump.
“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 playwright said.
The Nobel Laureate said he received official notification of the visa revocation six days ago through a letter from the Non-Immigrant Visa Section of the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos.
Part of the letter reads: “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as official notification by the United States Consulate General in Lagos that the non-immigrant visa listed below has been revoked pursuant to the authority contained in U.S. Department of State regulations… Additional information became available after the visa below was issued.”
The 91-year-old Soyinka, who appeared calm during the session, said he could not decipher the reason for the revocation because at no point did he violate any laws.
“I’m still looking into my past history… I don’t have any past criminal record or even a misdemeanour to qualify for the revocation. Have I ever misbehaved toward the United States of America? Do I have a history? Have I gone against the law anywhere?” he questioned.
The playwright, however, clarified that he bore no resentment toward the US and its citizens.
He maintained that his advocacy for justice and equality remained intact.
“I will continue to welcome any American to my home if they have anything legitimate to do with me,” he said, adding that he would keep speaking against racism and policies he considered unjust, including those of President Trump.
Soyinka said that the news conference was to notify people in the US who might be expecting him for engagements not to waste their time, as he could no longer travel to the country.
Soyinka had declined an invitation from the U.S. Consulate for a visa re-interview scheduled for September 11, 2025, saying he felt it was a scam.
“I thought it came from scammers who prey on those eager to get visas elsewhere, promising to deliver them for a certain amount… It was very strange because I had never received that kind of letter from that or any other embassy,” he said.
Upon discovering its authenticity, he stated that attending such an interview was out of the question.
“The question of going to such an interview is totally out of consideration,” he said, adding that holding the re-interview on September 11, a date he described as one for “deep, sober reflection” in the U.S., was inappropriate.
Soyinka referred to the American government at the time as being led by a “white Idi Amin,” in apparent reference to Trump.
The Nobel laureate had, in December 2016, publicly torn his U.S. Green Card following Trump’s victory in the presidential election, fulfilling a promise he made before the polls.
