Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka announced on October 28, 2025, at Freedom Park, Lagos, that the U.S. has permanently revoked his visa.
Key reasons & timeline
- He tore up his U.S. green card in 2016 as protest against Donald Trump’s first election.
- Thereafter, he used a B1/B2 visitor visa.
- The U.S. Consulate later demanded a revalidation interview — he ignored it.
- On October 23, 2025, he received a letter asking him to appear so the visa could be stamped “cancelled permanently.”
- Soyinka refused to attend: “If they wish to cancel it, that is their business. I will not go there to help them do it.”
His stance
- He will not reciprocate hostility: “I will continue to welcome any American to my home.”
- He urged resistance to discrimination and injustice.
Two past U.S. airport incidents he clarified
- Many years ago (winter flight from UK): Carried undeclared chilli peppers in pocket for warmth → fined $25 for agricultural violation. “Harmless mistake.”
- 1970s, Chicago Airport: Confronted an officer over a racist remark → police called; calmed by Chief Emeka Anyaoku (later Commonwealth Sec-Gen).
Soyinka stressed these were minor misunderstandings, not criminal acts, and should not justify a lifetime ban.
