U.S. issues permanent ban on Wole Soyinka’s entry

Professor Wole Soyinka, the Nobel laureate, has announced that his visa has been revoked by the United States, which currently bars him from entering the country.

He shared this information during a press briefing on Tuesday at Kongi’s Harvest Gallery in Lagos Island.

Soyinka indicated that he received official notification of the visa revocation from the U.S. Consulate in a letter dated October 23, 2025. He called the briefing to inform organizations and individuals who had plans for his visit to the U.S., urging them not to make further arrangements.

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“I no longer possess a visa; I am clearly banned from the United States. If you’d like to see me, you know how to reach me,” he stated, expressing his confusion over the decision. “I have no criminal history or any misdemeanors that would warrant this action. I’m reflecting on whether I’ve ever acted inappropriately toward the United States.”

The letter, issued by the Consulate’s Non-Immigrant Visa (NIV) Section, cited that the revocation adhered to U.S. Department of State regulations, though it did not provide specific reasons for the decision.

Soyinka held a B1/B2 visa, which is generally granted for business or tourism purposes.

Previously, PM News reported in September that Soyinka had turned down an invitation to a visa re-interview at the U.S. Consulate, initially suspecting that the notification could be a hoax.

Despite this unexpected development, Soyinka emphasized that he holds no animosity towards U.S. officials and has had amicable relations with American diplomats in the past.

He expressed his intention to seek further clarity on this issue but does not perceive it as a personal slight.