Dare Babalola
Renowned Nigerian writer and Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has disclosed that the United States government has permanently revoked his visa.
Professor Soyinka revealed the reason behind the visa revocation at a media briefing held at Freedom Park in Lagos on Tuesday, stating that he had declined to attend a reinterview requested by the U.S. Consulate, which led to the permanent revocation of his visa.
Soyinka tore up his US green card in protest against President Donald Trump’s divisive policies, citing concerns over discriminatory leadership and racism.
Following that act, he resorted to travelling to the U.S. with a B1/B2 visa.
According to him, the consulate later invited him for a visa revalidation interview, which he ignored.
Then, on October 23, 2025, he received another letter asking him to visit the consulate so that his visa could be officially stamped as “cancelled permanently.”
The professor, however, said he would not honour the invitation, insisting that such a visit was unnecessary.
“If they wish to cancel it, that is their business, I will not go there to help them do it,” Soyinka said.
Despite the revocation, he noted that he would not reciprocate the action.
“I will continue to welcome any American to my home if they have anything legitimate to do with me,” he affirmed.
Soyinka shared two past encounters with US authorities, describing them as minor misunderstandings that didn’t constitute criminal behavior, highlighting his generally positive relationship with the US until recent developments.
The first incident, he said, occurred many years ago at an American airport.
Having flown in from the United Kingdom during winter, Soyinka decided to eat some spicy chilli pepper to keep warm. He also placed a few in his pocket before boarding his flight.
Upon arrival in the U.S., airport officials discovered the pepper during a routine search and fined him 25 dollars for bringing agricultural produce into the country without declaration.
“The officials were just doing their job,” he said, laughing. “It was a harmless mistake I simply forgot to declare the chilli I had carried from London.”
The second incident took place in the 1970s at Chicago Airport, where Soyinka said he had challenged an immigration officer who made a racist remark. The confrontation drew attention, and the police were called in.
Soyinka said it took the intervention of Chief Emeka Anyaoku, who later became Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, to calm the situation and prevent it from escalating.
Reflecting on both experiences, Soyinka said, “I do not think those two incidents are enough to classify me as having a criminal record in the United States. They were simply misunderstandings that could happen to anyone.”
The Nobel Laureate added that aside from those moments, he had enjoyed cordial relations with the U.S. for many years until the political climate changed under Trump’s administration.
Soyinka emphasised the importance of standing up against discrimination and injustice globally, saying “Silence in the face of prejudice is as dangerous as the act itself”.
