- Safiu Kehinde
The United States Consulate has revoked the visa of celebrated Nigeria’s Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, effectively barring him from entering the country.
This is coming a month after the renowned writer declined an invitation by the U.S. Consulate in Nigeria for a visa reinterview.
NPO Reported that Soyinka who possesses a B1/B2 Visa was alongside other Nigerians with the visa category asked to go to the American Consulate for the reinterview.
The Nobel Laurette however declined the invitation describing it as strange and bizarre.
Soyinka would at a media parley held at the Kongi’s Harvest Gallery, Freedom Park, Lagos Island, on Tuesday, announced the revocation of his visa which he described this time as surprising and inexplicable.
The 89-year-old elder statesman said he decided to make a public statement to avoid embarrassment for organisers of events in the US who might still be expecting his attendance at future engagements.
“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,
“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 said.
Speaking to journalists, Soyinka disclosed that the US Consulate in Lagos formally communicated the visa revocation through an official letter.
The letter, which he read aloud to journalists, cited the United States Department of State Regulation 22 CFR 41.122 as the basis for the decision.
It identified the Nobel Laureate’s visa as a B1/B2 non-immigrant visa—typically issued for business and tourism purposes—and stated that it had been revoked due to “additional information” that became available after issuance.
Soyinka however claimed that the visa, issued earlier in April 2024, was suddenly declared invalid without any prior notification or invitation for clarification.
“The letter addressed to me clearly stated that the non-immigrant visa earlier issued has been revoked in line with the Department of State’s regulation.
“It added that additional information had become available after the visa was granted. That is the entire explanation given. No further details, no hearing, no explanation. It is as vague as it is bewildering.” He said.