By Samuel Adeola
Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka says the United States has revoked his visa without explanation, preventing him from entering the country.
Speaking at a media briefing on Tuesday at Kongi’s Harvest Gallery, Freedom Park, Lagos, Soyinka expressed shock over the decision, saying he had no record of wrongdoing.
“I have no visa; I am obviously banned from the United States. If you want to see me, you know where to find me,” he said.
According to Soyinka, the US Consulate in Lagos notified him in an October 23 letter stating that his nonimmigrant visa had been revoked under existing US regulations.
The reason for the action remains unclear. Soyinka said he had always maintained cordial relations with US officials and had never violated any law.
In September, he reportedly declined an invitation for a visa re-interview, initially suspecting the letter was fake or AI-generated.
Soyinka’s revoked B1/B2 visa had allowed temporary travel for business and tourism.
