Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka says his U.S. visa has been revoked following criticism of U.S. policies.
The Nigerian intellectual confirms the decision came via an official letter from the U.S. Consulate in Lagos.
The United States government has permanently withdrawn the visa of Nobel Prize winner Professor Wole Soyinka. He revealed the development during an interactive session with journalists in Lagos on Tuesday.
Soyinka said he received an official letter from the US Consulate in Lagos on Thursday, October 23, notifying him that his visa had been revoked. According to him, the action appears connected to his open criticism of policies under President Donald Trump.
The literary icon has been vocal about his concerns regarding Trump’s leadership. In 2016, after Trump won his first presidential election, Soyinka famously destroyed his US Green Card, saying he did not want to live in a country governed by Trump.
While addressing the media at Freedom Park, Lagos, during an event titled “Unending Saga: Idi Amin In Whiteface,” Soyinka read portions of the letter he received from the consulate. He said the United States had the right to deny him entry but stressed that he holds no anger toward the country.
“There are no hard feelings,” he stated. He added that Americans will continue to be welcomed at his home in Abeokuta, Ogun State. Soyinka noted that his disagreement is with certain government policies, not with the American people or the nation itself.
He explained that he considers himself a global citizen and would continue to speak up against racism and any action that undermines human dignity. He insisted that his voice would not be silenced, no matter the consequences.
Soyinka also stated that his criticism of leaders would continue wherever and whenever he believes policies are harmful. He made it clear that visa issues will not stop him from expressing his views on justice, human rights, and freedom around the world.
