The United States government has defended its decision to revoke Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka’s visa.
The U.S government asserted that the authority to revoke visas remains an inherent sovereign right.
The U.S Consulate in Lagos made this clarification while responding to inquiries regarding the revocation of Soyinka’s visa.
This defense comes after Soyinka revealed receiving an official notification dated October 23, 2025, from the U.S Consulate General in Lagos, which stated his visa was revoked pursuant to U.S. Department of State regulations and was no longer valid for entry.
Speaking on the development, the Consulate noted that it could not discuss the details of the particular visa for confidentiality reasons.
“Under U.S. law, visa records are generally confidential. We will not discuss the details of this individual visa case,” the Public Diplomacy Officer, US Department of State, US Consulate General, Lagos, Julia McKay, said.
McKay added that visas could be revoked at any time at the discretion of the U.S government, noting that they are a privilege.
“Visas are a privilege, not a right. Every country, including the United States, can determine who enters its borders. Visas may be revoked at any time, at the discretion of the U.S. government, whenever circumstances warrant,” she added.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass had reported that Soyinka’s visa was revoked by the U.S government.
Soyinka made this known during a media parley on Tuesday in Lagos State.
The 91-year-old world-acclaimed writer told journalists at Kongi’s Harvest, Freedom Park, that he should not be expected in the U.S by anyone, as he currently has no visa.
Addressing the media at the parley titled “Unending Saga: Idi Amin in Whiteface,” Soyinka said the notice of revocation was communicated to him by the US Consulate General in Lagos, in a letter dated October 23, 2025.
“It is necessary for me to hold this press conference so that people in the United States who are expecting me for this event or that event do not waste their time.
“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,” the author, playwright, and poet told journalists at the upper chamber of the art gallery.
The Nobel Laureate, who won the 1986 prize for Literature and has been a vocal critic of the U.S President Donald Trump, stressed that he did not know the basis for the revocation of his visa.
While pondering over the revocation of his visa, the renowned writer said he could not recall any offence committed by him that could have warranted the decision to revoke his visa.
“I’ve started looking back—have I ever misbehaved towards the United States of America? Do I have a history? Have I been convicted? Have I gone against the law anywhere?
“And I remembered finally, two instances, which I want to make public now in case it is brought up later on.
“I remember pleading guilty at the airport one day. I was landing in Chicago. It was my first major production in the United States. We were in rehearsals at the time. And the night before, I had to dash to London and then return for rehearsals.
“I had gone to an Indian restaurant in London, and as usual, when I go to cold wintry countries, I always carry peppers with me. At that restaurant, when I was leaving, I put a few green chilies in my pockets just to keep me going when I got back to Chicago. I forgot to declare those chilies.
“So, I’m warning you now that you may learn that I was convicted for carrying some small chilies. At the airport, they wanted to charge me to court, but they said I could plead guilty and pay a fine. I think I remember paying about $25 or so. So, that’s one possible crime that could have been dug up. I had forgotten all about it, quite frankly, that’s my fault. That’s one.”
“Two, the American Society of African Culture had an international conference some years ago, just in the early 70s, I’m not good with dates. It took place in the American Hotel, Atlanta. And, I had a confrontation with the police (over) some racist conduct by the receptionist, which led to the police being called. And this policeman came and was trying to throw his weight around. So, I could be convicted, if you like, for, shall we say, disobeying orders from law officers of the US. This was at least 30 years ago.”
“So, ladies and gentlemen, these are the only two crimes I can consider myself guilty of in all the decades I’ve been going to the United States.”
