Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has revealed that the United States government has revoked his non-immigrant visa, effectively barring him from entering the country.
Soyinka disclosed this during a recent media parley titled “Unending Saga: Idi Amin In Whiteface!” held at Kongi’s Harvest Gallery, Freedom Park, Lagos Island. He suggested that the move may be linked to his long-standing criticism of former U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration’s policies.
The revered playwright and poet confirmed that his B1/B2 visa, a temporary travel document issued for business and tourism had been withdrawn without prior notice.
“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,” Soyinka said while addressing journalists.
He also read excerpts from the official letter of notification, which he received from the Non-Immigrant Visa (NIV) Section of the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos. The letter, dated October 23, 2025, stated that his visa had been revoked under the authority of U.S. Department of State regulations, citing “additional information” obtained after its issuance.
