By Ayo Ayodele
The recent revocation of Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka’s United States visa has sparked widespread curiosity and speculation, as the literary icon insists he has committed no wrongdoing to warrant the action.
Soyinka announced the development on Tuesday at a media parley held at Kongi’s Harvest Gallery, Freedom Park, Lagos Island, saying he was “banned, obviously, from the United States,” after receiving an official letter from the US Consulate in Lagos.
Although the US authorities have not provided a clear explanation, several factors may have contributed to the decision.
One possible reason, sources suggest, is policy-based administrative review. In recent months, Washington has tightened visa controls to curb irregular migration and reassess certain categories of non-immigrant visas. Soyinka’s B1/B2 visa—a temporary travel permit for business and tourism—may have been affected by this broader review process.
Another likely factor is Soyinka’s refusal to attend a visa re-interview earlier in September. The Consulate had reportedly invited him for a reassessment, but he declined, dismissing the request as suspicious and unnecessary. Immigration experts say failing to comply with such an invitation could automatically lead to revocation under US visa regulations.
Additionally, observers believe Soyinka’s outspoken political activism and history of strong commentary on global issues might have attracted additional scrutiny. In 2016, the Nobel laureate publicly declared he would destroy his US green card if Donald Trump won the presidential election—a statement that drew global attention at the time. While there is no indication the revocation is punitive, such comments may have influenced how his profile was evaluated by immigration authorities.
There is also speculation that the action may have stemmed from systemic or bureaucratic inconsistencies, as the revocation letter was issued by the Non-Immigrant Visa (NIV) section, a department known for enforcing administrative compliance rather than punitive measures.
For now, Soyinka has said he is reviewing the situation, maintaining that his relationship with US cultural institutions has always been cordial. “I’m still looking into my past history… I don’t have any criminal record or even a misdemeanour to qualify for this,” he said.
Until more details emerge, the reasons behind the US government’s decision remain a blend of policy enforcement, procedural rigidity, and diplomatic uncertainty.