Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka has revealed that the United States government has permanently revoked his visa last week.
Soyinka made the disclosure on Tuesday during a media parley at Freedom Park, Lagos, themed “Unending Saga: Idi Amin In Whiteface!”
The iconic playwright said he received the letter of revocation from the US Consulate in Lagos on Thursday, October 23, 2025.
He described the action as a form of witch-hunt linked to his strong criticism of former US President Donald Trump and his policies.
“Dear Mr. Soyinka, this letter serves as official notification of the United States Consulate that the non-immigrant visa listed below has been revoked in pursuant to the Department of State Regulations 22 CFR 41.122 and is no longer valid for entry into the United States,” the letter read in part.
It listed his details as follows:
Name: Soyinka, Wole
Date of Birth: July 13, 1934
Place of Birth: Nigeria
Visa Type: B1/B2
Date and Place of Issuance: April 2, 2024, Lagos
The Consulate explained that “additional information became available after the visa was issued,” prompting the decision to revoke it.
Soyinka said he bore no resentment over the move. He stressed that he remains open to receiving Americans in his home at Abeokuta, Ogun State, and continues to maintain respect for the American people.
“I will continue to welcome any American to my home if they have legitimate reasons to visit me,” Soyinka said.
He recalled that in December 2016, he tore up his U.S. Green Card in protest after Donald Trump won his first presidential election. The Nobel laureate said his actions were guided by principle, not politics.
“As a global citizen, I will always speak against racism and unjust policies whether in the U.S. or anywhere else,” he affirmed.
Despite the visa revocation, Soyinka maintained that he had no regrets over his outspoken criticism of global leaders.
The media event attracted journalists, academics, and rights advocates, who commended the literary icon’s courage in defending human rights and freedom of expression
