October 28, (THEWILL) — Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has confirmed that the United States government has permanently revoked his American visa, a move he believes is linked to his long-standing criticism of US President, Donald Trump.
Soyinka disclosed this on Tuesday, during a media parley held at Freedom Park, Lagos, tagged “Unending Saga: Idi Amin in Whiteface!”. He said he received the letter of revocation from the US Consulate in Lagos on Thursday, October 23, 2025, describing the action as unexpected, but not surprising.
Reading the letter to journalists, the renowned playwright said the Consulate, citing Department of State Regulations 22 CFR 41.122, informed him that his B1/B2 non-immigrant visa, issued on April 2, 2024, had been rendered invalid following the emergence of “additional information”.
“Dear Mr Soyinka, this letter serves as official notification that the non-immigrant visa listed below has been revoked… Additional information became available after the visa below was issued. This revocation refers only to the visa listed below”, the letter partly read.
Soyinka, who now resides permanently in Nigeria, recalled his earlier decision to tear his US Green Card in 2016, shortly after Trump’s election victory, in protest of what he described as a dangerous rise in divisive politics and intolerance.
Despite the development, the literary icon said he holds no resentment toward the American people or their nation.
“There are no hard feelings. I will continue to welcome any American to my home in Abeokuta if they have anything legitimate to do with me”, he stated.
Soyinka emphasised that his views have always been directed at government policies, not individuals, insisting that he would never stop speaking out against injustice and discrimination.
“I am a global citizen. I will continue to speak against racism and what I consider wrong with the policies of governments, including that of Donald Trump”, he affirmed.
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