Wole Soyinka banned from entering U.S.

The United States (U.S.) has banned Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, from entering
the North American country.
This was disclosed by Soyinka himself at a media parley held at Kongi’s Harvest Gallery, Freedom Park, Lagos.
The nonagenarian activist, novelist and playwright said: “It is necessary for me to hold this conference so that people in the United States who are expecting me for this event or that event do not waste their time.
‎‎“I have no visa. I am banned, obviously, from the United States. And if you want to see me, you know where to find me,” he said.
He disclosed that the U.S. Government revoked his visa, making his entry into the country impossible for now.
Reason for the action remains unclear for now.
The U.S. Consulate informed him of the revocation in a letter dated October 23, 2025.
‎‎“This letter serves as official notification by the United States Consulate General in Lagos that the nonimmigrant visa listed below has been revoked pursuant to the authority contained in U.S. Department of State regulations,” part of the letter, issued by the NIV Section of the Consulate, reads.
‎‎The Nobel Laureate said: “I’m still looking into my past history. I don’t have any past criminal record or even a felony or misdemeanour to qualify for the revocation.
‎‎“I’ve started looking back. Have I ever misbehaved toward the United States of America? Do I have a history? Have I been convicted? Have I gone against the law anywhere?”
‎Soyinka’s visa is classified as B1/B2 — a temporary, non-immigrant visa for travel to the United States for business (B-1) or tourism (B-2).
‎