Wole Soyinka’s US Visa Revoked After Outspoken Criticism of President Donald Trump
Nobel Prize-winning author Wole Soyinka announced that his United States visa has been revoked, a move he believes may be linked to his recent criticism of President Donald Trump. The decision has been condemned by free expression advocates as "deeply troubling" and arbitrary.
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| Wole Soyinka Visa Revocation |
The Revocation Notice
At a press conference, the 91-year-old playwright read verbatim from a letter dated October 23, 2025, from the US Consulate General in Lagos:
“This letter serves as official notification... that the nominated Visa... has been revoked per the US Department of State regulation and is no longer valid for application for entry into the United States… Additional information became available after the below Visa was issued.”
The letter did not specify what "additional information" prompted the decision. A State Department spokesperson cited the confidentiality of visa records but stressed that "visas are a privilege, not a right" and "may be revoked at any time."
Soyinka, the first African to win the Nobel Prize in Literature (1986), remained defiant. Referring to the rejection as a "love letter," he stated he would not be reapplying for another visa.
"It's not about me, I'm not really interested in going back to the United States," he said. "But a principle is involved. Human beings deserve to be treated decently wherever they are." He concluded with a clear message:
"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."
Context and Controversy
Soyinka, who has taught at several US universities, addressed rumors about his immigration status with his characteristic wit. He clarified the story of destroying his green card in protest of Donald Trump’s first inauguration in 2017.
"Unfortunately, when I was looking at my green card, it fell between the fingers of a pair of scissors, and they got cut into a couple of pieces. What happened? It just had an accident. That’s all."
He explained that years ago, this "accident" led to an IRS audit of his tax returns, which he resolved. Following the audit, he was issued the B1/B2 tourist/business visa that has now been revoked.
Soyinka believes the revocation may be linked to his recent vocal criticism of the US administration. He noted that the decision came after he referred to President Trump as a "white version of Idi Amin," the infamous Ugandan dictator.
The visa cancellation also coincided with the US placing Nigeria on a list of countries whose nationals no longer qualify for multi-year visas, requiring them instead to apply for single-entry visas with a three-month maximum duration.
International Reaction
PEN America, a leading free expression organization, swiftly condemned the visa cancellation as "deeply troubling" and an "abrupt and arbitrary" decision that harms cultural exchange.
Hadar Harris, managing director of PEN America’s Washington office, stated:
"Canceling Wole Soyinka’s multiple entry visa... has clear negative implications for free expression and cultural exchange... The revocation of Soyinka’s visa diminishes the country’s commitment to discussion on politics and other topics with major figures from abroad. PEN America believes we are stronger as a nation when writers like Wole Soyinka are able to share their stories and writings with U.S. audiences."
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