Tue Oct 28 21:33:37 UTC 2025: Summary:
The United States has revoked the visa of Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, the first African to win the prize in literature, under the Trump administration’s crackdown on immigration and those deemed out of step with its policies. Soyinka, a long-time critic of governments worldwide, was informed by the US consulate in Lagos. He received the news with humor, joking about it and suggesting he might write a play about Donald Trump. This follows a similar visa revocation of Nobel Peace Prize winner Oscar Arias, apparently due to his ties with China and criticism of Trump. The Trump administration claims the visa revocations are for national security, but critics argue it’s a suppression of dissent. Soyinka previously destroyed his US green card in protest of Trump’s first election and has been outspoken against Trump’s policies. He has a history of fighting censorship and has previously faced persecution for his work.
News Article:
Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka’s US Visa Revoked Amid Trump’s Immigration Crackdown
LAGOS, NIGERIA – Wole Soyinka, the renowned Nigerian author and playwright who became the first African to win the Nobel Prize for Literature, has had his US visa revoked. The revocation comes amidst a renewed crackdown on immigration under the Trump administration.
Speaking at Kongi’s Harvest Gallery in Lagos, Soyinka read aloud from a notice from the US Consulate, requesting he surrender his passport for visa cancellation. He responded with his trademark humor, calling it a “curious love letter” and joking about being too busy to comply.
“I like people who have a sense of humour, and this is one of the most humorous sentences or requests I’ve had in all my life,” Soyinka quipped.
Soyinka, an outspoken critic of governments worldwide, had his visa issued last year under President Joe Biden. This action follows a pattern, with former Costa Rican President and Nobel Peace Prize winner Oscar Arias also having his visa revoked, reportedly due to his ties with China and criticisms of Trump.
The Trump administration claims the visa revocations are necessary for national security, citing a policy to revoke visas from those deemed to hold “hostile attitudes” toward US culture and principles. Critics, however, argue that such broad language could be used to suppress dissent and target those who criticize the administration.
Soyinka himself has been a vocal critic of Trump, denouncing his treatment of immigrants and confirming he destroyed his US green card in 2017 in protest of Trump’s initial election.
“As long as Trump is in charge, if I absolutely have to visit the United States, I prefer to go in the queue for a regular visa with others,” Soyinka told The Atlantic at the time.
Despite the revocation, Soyinka assured the audience that he remains content and that the consulate staff has treated him with courtesy. He also joked about potentially writing a play about Donald Trump.
This incident raises concerns about freedom of expression and the potential for the Trump administration to target individuals for their political views under the guise of national security.
First Piper 