By Erewunmi Peace

Nigerian Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has revealed that his United States visa has been permanently revoked by the U.S. government. The literary icon made this known while addressing journalists on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, describing the development as “strange but not entirely surprising.”

According to reports from Reuters and The Guardian (UK), Soyinka disclosed that the U.S. Consulate in Lagos informed him through a letter dated October 23, 2025, that “additional information became available after the visa was issued,” leading to the revocation of his B1/B2 non-immigrant visa.

Soyinka, who was previously invited for a re-interview at the U.S. Consulate but declined, stated that he found the decision curious but had no plans to challenge it.

“I have no regrets and no intention of appealing the decision. My life and work are not defined by any single nation’s visa,” he said.

The 1986 Nobel Prize winner emphasized that the revocation would not deter him from continuing his global advocacy for democracy, free expression, and justice.

“The United States has every right to control its borders. I, too, reserve the right to decide where I wish to go or not go,” Soyinka added.

While the U.S. Consulate has yet to issue a detailed explanation, it cited privacy laws that prevent them from discussing individual visa cases publicly.

This incident has sparked mixed reactions across Nigeria and the international literary community, with many expressing surprise over the decision. Some observers believe the move may be politically motivated, while others say it could be a result of new immigration review protocols.

Professor Soyinka, known for his outspoken criticism of authoritarian regimes and global injustice, remains one of Africa’s most respected voices in literature and human rights.