Nigerian Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka has declared that the United States revoked his visa, effectively banning him from the country. The 91-year-old writer, a long-time critic of Donald Trump, suggested the decision was politically motivated, linking it to his outspoken remarks against the former president.
On Tuesday, October 28, 2025, Soyinka made the announcement at a press conference in Lagos, revealing that the U.S. consulate had requested he bring his passport for an interview to cancel his non-immigrant visa. He described the consulate’s letter as a “rather curious love letter from an embassy” and stated firmly, “I have no visa. I am banned,” advising organizations hoping to invite him to the U.S. not to waste their time. The U.S. embassy in Nigeria declined to comment on individual cases, citing confidentiality rules, leaving the specific reasons undisclosed.
Soyinka, who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1986, has a history of provocative actions against Trump’s policies, including destroying his U.S. green card in 2016 after Trump’s first election. He confirmed that he no longer holds the permanent residency permit, quipping that it had “fallen between the fingers of a pair of scissors and it got cut into a couple of pieces.” This symbolic act underscored his opposition to Trump’s immigration stance, which he has consistently criticized over the years.
The visa revocation appears tied to Soyinka’s recent comparisons of Trump to Uganda’s dictator Idi Amin, whom he described as a “man of international stature.” Soyinka remarked, “When I called Donald Trump Idi Amin, I thought I was paying him a compliment—he’s been behaving like a dictator.” He speculated that this commentary, along with his broader critiques of the administration’s radical immigration measures, may have triggered the consulate’s decision, highlighting the political undertones of the move.
For decades, Soyinka has maintained strong academic ties to the U.S., teaching at institutions like Harvard and Cornell and engaging in cultural exchanges. His literary works, such as “Death and the King’s Horseman” and his 2021 novel “Chronicles from the Land of the Happiest People on Earth,” have cemented his global influence. Despite the ban, he expressed no personal desire to re-enter the U.S., emphasizing that there is “nothing I’m looking for there” and framing the issue as part of a larger struggle.
The action aligns with the Trump administration’s wider crackdown on immigration, which has included revoking visas for other critics, such as university students vocal about Palestinian rights. In July 2025, the U.S. State Department reduced visa validity for Nigerians and citizens of several other African countries to three-month, single-entry permits, down from five-year, multiple-entry terms. Soyinka pointed to this policy shift and reports of aggressive raids and family separations as evidence of a troubling trend, stating, “This is not about me,” but about systemic injustices.
Soyinka’s case raises concerns about academic freedom and the politicization of visa policies, potentially chilling international discourse. As a revered figure in literature and human rights, his exclusion could impact cultural and educational collaborations between the U.S. and Africa. He left open the possibility of accepting a future invitation if circumstances change but reiterated that he would not seek it proactively, standing by his principles in the face of political pressure.
Looking ahead, the incident may fuel debates on the balance between national security and free expression, with implications for U.S.-Nigeria relations. Soyinka’s steadfast criticism ensures the story will resonate globally, reminding audiences of the power of dissent in an era of heightened political tensions.