Nigerian author and Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka has revealed that the United States has revoked his non-immigrant visa, placing the 91-year-old literary icon and outspoken critic of U.S. policy at the centre of a new diplomatic flashpoint.
Soyinka confirmed during a press briefing in Lagos that he received a letter from the U.S. Consulate General dated October 23, 2025, requesting that he present himself with his passport so the visa could be physically cancelled. The letter cited “additional information became available after the visa was issued” as the reason for the revocation.
The writer responded with characteristic wit, calling the notice a “rather curious love-letter” from the embassy. “I have no visa; I am banned, obviously, from the United States,” he said. 
When asked about the possible cause, Soyinka pointed to his past remarks comparing Donald Trump to Ugandan dictator Idi Amin, saying the remarks may have prompted the action. He recommended that U.S. institutions stop expecting him to travel there.
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Why This Matters
Diplomacy & Free Speech – Soyinka is the first African to win the Nobel Prize for Literature (1986) and has held visiting positions at U.S. universities. That such a figure should be targeted for visa revocation raises questions about the limits of dissent and expression when it intersects with geopolitics.
Immigration Policy – The U.S. has tightened its visa procedures for Nigerians in recent months. Soyinka’s case highlights how visa policy can become entwined with political commentary and image management. 
Cultural Repercussions – For African audiences and the global literary community, the incident signals a tension: Can global cultural ambassadors remain fully mobile when their comments challenge powerful governments?
Legacy & Autonomy – Soyinka’s reaction shows a refusal to be victimised. His decision to take the revocation in stride, even with humour, exudes independence and underscores that his work extends far beyond any single country.
