US bans Wole Soyinka, Nobel laureate reveals
By Samuel Ogunsona
The United States has permanently barred Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka from entering the country, the renowned writer and activist disclosed on Tuesday.
The decision shocked the intellectual community to its foundation mid-week.
Soyinka made the announcement during a media briefing at Kongi’s Harvest Gallery, Freedom Park, Lagos Island.
According to Soyinka, the US Consulate informed him of the visa revocation via an official letter dated October 23, 2025.
“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,” he stated.
Soyinka expressed puzzlement over the reason behind the ban, citing his clean record. “I don’t have any past criminal record or even a misdemeanour to qualify for the revocation.
I’m still looking back
“Have I ever misbehaved toward the United States?” he queried.
The letter from the Non-Immigrant Visa (NIV) Section of the Consulate cited US Department of State regulations as the basis for the revocation but did not provide specific grounds for the decision.
Soyinka’s visa was categorized under B1/B2, typically issued for business or tourism purposes.
This development follows reports that Soyinka had declined a request from the US Consulate to attend a visa re-interview appointment in September, suspecting the notification might be a scam. Despite the situation, Soyinka emphasized that he holds no animosity toward US officials, noting his past interactions with American diplomats had been cordial.
“I will continue to seek clarity on the matter, but I do not consider it a personal affront,” Soyinka said, maintaining his diplomatic tone amidst the unexpected turn of events.
