The USA Embassy in Lagos has spoken on the revocation of Prof. Wole Soyinka’s visa, saying entry paperwork issued by the U.S. are privileges and may be withdrawn at any time.
The clarification adopted public curiosity after the Nobel laureate revealed that his B1/B2 visa was cancelled by the Embassy.
Talking by its Public Diplomacy Officer, Julia McKay, the Embassy defined that it couldn’t share particulars of Soyinka’s case as a result of privateness guidelines.
“Underneath U.S. legislation, visa information are typically confidential. We won’t focus on the small print of this particular person visa case,” she said.
McKay careworn that no particular person is entitled to a U.S. visa.
“Visas are a privilege, not a proper … visas could also be revoked at any time, on the discretion of the U.S. authorities, every time circumstances warrant,” she mentioned within the e mail response.
Soyinka first disclosed his visa revocation throughout a media session in Lagos earlier this week.
The 91-year-old author instructed reporters that the discover got here in a letter dated October 23, 2025, from the U.S. Consulate in Lagos. He added that he at the moment has no visa and won’t be visiting the USA till additional discover.
The long-lasting playwright mentioned he couldn’t establish any wrongdoing that will have triggered the motion however recalled two minor decades-old incidents involving U.S. airport guidelines and a disagreement with cops.
He jokingly famous that the one “crime” he may keep in mind was as soon as being fined for carrying undeclared peppers into the U.S.
Soyinka, who has been brazenly crucial of former U.S. President Donald Trump, instructed journalists that he wouldn’t contest the Embassy’s choice however discovered the state of affairs “curious.”
The Consulate’s communication reportedly cited U.S. laws underneath 22 CFR 41.122, saying new data turned out there after the visa was issued, prompting the cancellation.
The letter additionally instructed Soyinka to return the visa for bodily cancellation. The Nobel laureate laughed on the request and requested if anybody wished to ship it for him.
In the meantime, the event has sparked conversations, particularly because the U.S. continues tightening border and immigration controls globally.
This comes at a time when many Nigerians have raised considerations about stricter U.S. journey scrutiny and elevated visa refusals.