Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka recently revealed that his United States of America visa has been revoked, preventing his entry into the country. Soyinka made this significant disclosure on a Tuesday, while addressing journalists at Kongi's Harvest Gallery, located in Freedom Park, Lagos Island. He emphasized the necessity of holding the conference to inform his expectant audience in the United States, stating, "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."

The acclaimed literary figure further articulated his predicament, declaring, "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." Soyinka explained that he was officially notified of the visa revocation by the U.S. Consulate through a letter dated October 23, 2025. Despite the official communication, he expressed a profound lack of understanding regarding the reasons behind the decision.

The letter from the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos explicitly 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as official notification by the United States Consulate General in Lagos that the nonimmigrant visa listed below has been revoked pursuant to the authority contained in U.S. Department of State regulations."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 vehemently denied any history of criminal activity or violations of U.S. laws that could possibly justify such an action. "I'm still looking into my past history... I don't have any criminal record or even a misdemeanour to qualify for the revocation," he asserted, adding, "I keep asking myself -- have I ever misbehaved toward the United States of America? Have I gone against the law anywhere?" He did not, however, confirm whether he had initiated a new visa application or formally challenged the revocation decision.