The United States Consulate has revoked the visa of Nigeria’s esteemed Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, effectively prohibiting him from entering the country. This decision comes just a month after the renowned writer declined an invitation from the U.S. Consulate in Nigeria for a visa reinterview.
Reports indicate that Soyinka, who holds a B1/B2 visa—commonly used for business and tourism—was among several Nigerians summoned for this reinterview. However, Soyinka deemed the request “strange and bizarre” and opted not to attend.
In a media briefing held at the Kongi’s Harvest Gallery in Freedom Park, Lagos, on Tuesday, the 89-year-old scholar disclosed the revocation of his visa, labeling it as surprising and inexplicable. He emphasized that he felt compelled to address the situation publicly to prevent any misunderstandings for event organizers in the U.S. who might be anticipating his participation.
“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,” Soyinka stated. “I have no visa; I am banned, obviously, from the United States. If you want to see me, you know where to find me.”
During his interaction with journalists, Soyinka revealed that he received official notification of the visa revocation through a letter from the U.S. Consulate in Lagos. He shared the contents of the letter, which cited the United States Department of State Regulation 22 CFR 41.122 as the basis for the revocation. The letter indicated that Soyinka’s visa had been annulled due to “additional information” that surfaced after its issuance.
Despite the visa being issued in April 2024, Soyinka expressed his dismay at the sudden invalidation without any prior notice or opportunity for clarification. “The letter addressed to me clearly stated that the non-immigrant visa earlier issued has been revoked in accordance with the Department of State’s regulation,” he noted.
This unexpected turn of events has sparked widespread concern and speculation regarding the implications of the visa revocation for the distinguished author and his contributions to global discourse.
