Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka has been barred from entering the United States after the government revoked his visa. He announced the revocation at a media briefing in Lagos, saying he was unaware of any action that could have prompted the decision. The U.S. Consulate in Lagos informed him of the revocation in a letter dated 23 October, citing authority under U.S. Department of State regulations. The letter served as official notification that his non‑immigrant B1/B2 visa—normally used for temporary business or tourism travel—had been cancelled.
Soyinka expressed surprise, noting that he has no criminal record and has long enjoyed cordial relations with U.S. diplomatic officials. He initially dismissed the notice as a potential scam, describing the communication as suspicious. He also declined a consular request for a visa reassessment that had been scheduled for the following day.
The development comes amid recent changes to U.S. travel policies affecting Nigerians. In July, the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria announced that most non‑immigrant visas would become single‑entry with a three‑month validity, down from five‑year, multiple‑entry permits. There have also been reports of the embassy quietly revoking visas of Nigerian citizens without detailed explanation, citing only that “new information became available after the visa was issued.”
At the briefing, Soyinka told the media that people in the United States expecting him for various events would not see him because of the visa revocation. He said he is reflecting on his history with the U.S. to understand the decision and hopes the situation will soon be clarified. The revocation has significant implications, especially in light of the recent tightening of U.S. travel policies for Nigerians, and it remains to be seen how the U.S. government will address the concerns of affected individuals, including prominent figures like Soyinka.
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