Lagos, Nigeria — Nobel Laureate and globally renowned writer Professor Wole Soyinka has revealed that the United States government, under the administration of President Donald Trump, has revoked his visa, preventing him from traveling to the country where he has long held academic and literary ties.
Soyinka, Africa’s first Nobel Prize winner in Literature, made the disclosure on Tuesday during a press briefing at Kongi’s Harvest Gallery, Freedom Park, Lagos Island. The celebrated playwright, poet, and activist told journalists that he was “taken aback” by the sudden decision, describing it as both puzzling and deeply disappointing.
“I was informed by the U.S. Consulate that my visa has been revoked,” Soyinka said.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.”
The Nobel Laureate explained that he had received formal notification of the visa withdrawal through an official letter but noted that no reason had been provided for the action. “I was taken completely by surprise. I’m unaware of any offence or conduct that could have warranted this,” he said.
Soyinka suggested that the move might have been politically motivated. “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 told reporters. “This could only be described as a witch-hunt.”
According to him, the development has not only affected his upcoming engagements in the United States but also raised questions about freedom of expression and the treatment of intellectuals under the Trump administration.
“I’m still looking into my past history,” Soyinka said with a wry tone. “I don’t have any past criminal record or even a misdemeanour to qualify for the revocation. I’ve started looking back — have I ever misbehaved toward the United States of America? Do I have a history? Have I gone against the law anywhere?”
The announcement has sparked widespread reactions within Nigeria’s academic and cultural communities, many of whom expressed shock and dismay at the decision.
Born in Abeokuta, Ogun State, in 1934, Professor Wole Soyinka has been an influential voice in global literature and politics for over six decades. Known for his fearless advocacy for democracy, human rights, and justice, Soyinka has often used his literary works and public platform to challenge political repression both in Africa and abroad.
He won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1986, becoming the first African to receive the honor, and has since taught and lectured extensively across the United States, serving in several prestigious academic institutions, including Harvard University, Emory University, and Cornell University.
Soyinka’s connection with the United States extends far beyond academia. Over the years, he has participated in literary festivals, human rights forums, and university programs across multiple states. His works — from Death and the King’s Horseman to The Man Died — have been celebrated for their depth, courage, and artistic brilliance, often tackling themes of corruption, tyranny, and moral responsibility.
That long-standing relationship makes the U.S. government’s decision particularly surprising to many observers. Analysts have speculated that the revocation might be linked to Soyinka’s outspoken political positions, especially his past criticisms of former President Donald Trump’s rhetoric and policies.
During Trump’s presidency, Soyinka had been vocal about what he saw as rising intolerance and the erosion of democratic values. In 2016, shortly after Trump’s election victory, the Nobel Laureate famously declared that he had destroyed his U.S. green card in protest, saying he could not remain a resident of a country “whose leadership stood against the ideals of humanity.”
At Tuesday’s press conference, however, Soyinka dismissed any suggestion that he harbored animosity toward the American people. “I have always engaged critically but respectfully with the United States,” he said. “America has been a second intellectual home for me, a place of both refuge and collaboration. This decision does not erase that history.”
The U.S. Embassy in Nigeria has yet to issue an official statement regarding the matter. Repeated requests for comment from embassy officials reportedly went unanswered as of Tuesday evening.
Legal experts and immigration analysts say visa revocations are within the discretionary power of the U.S. government, though such decisions are typically accompanied by an explanation — especially for public figures of international stature. The lack of clarity, they argue, only fuels speculation about political motivations.
“This appears unusual given Soyinka’s standing as a Nobel Laureate and a figure of global respect,” said Dr. Kemi Ogundipe, a political science lecturer at the University of Lagos. “If indeed this revocation was politically influenced, it raises serious questions about the U.S. government’s commitment to freedom of thought and artistic expression.”
In Nigeria, public reaction has been swift. Social media platforms were flooded with messages of solidarity, with many citizens and public figures condemning what they termed “an insult to African intellect.” Some called on the Nigerian government to seek clarification from Washington, describing the act as an affront to the nation’s cultural pride.
Opposition lawmakers have also weighed in, urging the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to intervene. “Professor Soyinka is not just a Nigerian icon but a global one,” said Senator Shehu Musa. “Any action against him should be approached with sensitivity and respect.”
Meanwhile, human rights groups have drawn attention to what they view as a troubling global pattern of shrinking intellectual space and the marginalization of dissenting voices. “When a respected writer like Soyinka faces this kind of treatment, it sends a chilling message to thinkers everywhere,” noted Chidi Odinkalu, a human rights lawyer and former chairman of Nigeria’s Human Rights Commission.
For Soyinka, however, the episode appears to have strengthened rather than silenced his resolve. “I will continue to speak my truth wherever I am,” he said, his tone calm yet firm. “If the gates of one country are closed, the world remains open to those who refuse to be silent.”
As the dust settles, the Nobel Laureate remains in Nigeria, continuing his work at Freedom Park, Lagos — the very place where he once celebrated artistic liberty and the spirit of expression. Though barred for now from entering the United States, Soyinka’s influence and voice continue to transcend borders, reminding the world that ideas, unlike visas, cannot be revoked.
