Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka has announced that the United States has revoked his visa, preventing him from entering the country.

Speaking at a press briefing at Kongi’s Harvest Gallery, Freedom Park, Lagos Island, Soyinka said he had no knowledge of any action on his part that could have triggered the revocation.

“I am holding this press conference so that those in the United States expecting me for events don’t waste their time. I have no visa; I am obviously banned from the US. And if you want to see me, you know where to find me,” he told reporters.

The reason for the visa cancellation remains unclear. Soyinka revealed that he received official notification from the US Consulate in Lagos in a letter dated October 23, 2025. The document, issued by the Nonimmigrant Visa (NIV) Section, stated: “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as official notification by the United States Consulate General in Lagos that the nonimmigrant visa listed below has been revoked pursuant to the authority contained in U.S. Department of State regulations.”

Soyinka expressed shock over the development, saying, “I am still reviewing my history. I have no criminal record, no felonies or misdemeanours that would justify this revocation. Have I ever misbehaved toward the United States? Do I have a record? Have I ever broken the law anywhere?”

Earlier in September, Soyinka had declined an invitation from the US Consulate for a visa re-interview scheduled for September 11. The invitation targeted Nigerians holding B1/B2 visas, which are issued for temporary business or tourism purposes.

Reflecting on the letter at the time, Soyinka said, “Initially, I thought the letter was fake. Scammers often send such notices to people seeking visas. I even wondered if AI had generated it. When I realized it was genuine, I thought about my interactions with ambassadors, Consuls General, and Cultural Attachés—all of which have always been courteous.”