Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka says the United States government has revoked his visa, barring him from entering the country.
Soyinka disclosed this on Tuesday during a press briefing at Kongi’s Harvest Gallery, Freedom Park, Lagos Island, describing the move as unexpected and unexplained.
“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,” he 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.”
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He said the U.S. Consulate in Lagos notified him of the decision in a letter dated October 23, 2025, signed by the Nonimmigrant Visa Section. The document, according to him, served as official notice of visa revocation under U.S. Department of State regulations.
The playwright expressed confusion over the action, insisting he has no criminal record or history of misconduct that could justify the withdrawal. “Have I ever misbehaved toward the United States of America? Have I gone against the law anywhere?” he asked.
The reason behind the US visa revocation remains unclear, as the Consulate has not provided any explanation.