Overview
- Soyinka presented an October 23 letter from the U.S. Consulate in Lagos requesting his passport for physical cancellation and citing “additional information” and State Department authority to revoke visas at any time.
- The 91-year-old author said he is “very content” with the decision, declared “I have no visa. I am banned,” and told prospective hosts not to invite him to U.S. events.
- He linked the move to his public criticism of President Trump, including calling him a “white version of Idi Amin,” though U.S. officials have not stated a reason.
- The visa was issued in 2024 under the Biden administration; Soyinka said he will not seek to reapply.
- The U.S. Embassy in Nigeria declined to comment, as coverage connects the case to broader Trump-era tightening of visa policies, including high-profile cancellations and shorter, single-entry visas for many Nigerian travelers.