The United States government has permanently revoked the visa of Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, a move the literary icon described as a possible witch-hunt for his outspoken criticism of former US President Donald Trump.
Soyinka made the revelation on Tuesday, October 28, during a media parley in Lagos themed “Unending Saga: Idi Amin in Whiteface!” He said he received the official revocation letter from the US Consulate in Lagos last Thursday, October 23.
The letter, issued under the Department of State Regulation 22 CFR 41.122, stated that Soyinka’s B1/B2 visa issued in April 2024 had been rendered invalid after “additional information became available” post-issuance.
Unfazed by the decision, the 89-year-old playwright said he harbored “no hard feelings,” adding that he would still welcome Americans to his home in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
“I have no issues with the American people,” Soyinka said. “As a global citizen, I will continue to speak against racism and oppressive policies anywhere, including those of Donald Trump.”
Soyinka famously tore up his US Green Card in 2016 following Trump’s election victory, in protest against what he called “a triumph of bigotry and ignorance.”
