The United States government has clarified the reason behind the sudden revocation of Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka’s visa, saying that visas are privileges that can be withdrawn at any time and not a guaranteed right.

The explanation came after Soyinka, 91, revealed that his B1/B2 visa was recently cancelled by the US Consulate General in Lagos. 

The celebrated writer and human rights activist disclosed that he received an official letter from the Consulate dated October 23, 2025, informing him that his visa was no longer valid.

US Consulate explains

As news of the revocation sparked widespread discussion, the United States Consulate in Lagos addressed the issue, reminding the public that visa decisions are made solely at the discretion of the US government.

Julia McKay, the Consulate’s Public Diplomacy Officer, explained in a statement to The Punch that the US, like every other country, retains the right to decide who may enter or remain within its borders. She emphasized that visas are a privilege, not a right, and may be revoked whenever necessary.

“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 US government, whenever circumstances warrant,” McKay said.

However, McKay also noted that US law protects the confidentiality of visa records, meaning the Consulate could not share the specific reason behind Soyinka’s case.

“Under US law, visa records are generally confidential. We will not discuss the details of this individual visa case,” she added.

Soyinka Reacts to the revocation

Speaking at a press conference in Lagos titled “Unending Saga: Idi Amin in Whiteface,” Soyinka confirmed the revocation and said he had no idea what could have triggered the decision. 

He explained that he called the briefing to inform his contacts in the US not to expect him for any events or engagements.

“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,” he said.

The literary icon also recalled two old incidents in America that, though minor, might have been noted in his records. He mentioned being fined in Chicago years ago for failing to declare some green chilies at the airport, and another occasion in the 1970s when he had an encounter with a police officer during a racial dispute in Atlanta.

“These are the only two crimes I can consider myself guilty of in all the decades I’ve been going to the United States,” he said with a hint of humour.

The Official Letter and Legal Reference

According to Soyinka, the letter from the Consulate cited section 22 CFR 41.122 of the US Department of State’s regulations, which allows visa revocation if new information surfaces after a visa has been issued. 

The document also instructed him to return his visa to the Lagos Embassy for physical cancellation, an instruction he jokingly said he would ignore.

The decision marks a surprising turn in Soyinka’s long relationship with the United States. The professor, who famously tore up his US green card in 2016 following Donald Trump’s election victory, has spent much of his career speaking at American universities and attending international cultural events.