Amanze Chinonye
The controversy surrounding the revocation of Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka’s U.S. visa deepened on Tuesday as new details and historical context emerged, sparking debate over the possible motives behind the decision by the U.S. government, currently led by President Donald Trump.
The development has stirred widespread speculation in diplomatic and literary circles, with some observers suggesting that the U.S. government’s decision may have been influenced by Soyinka’s past political stances particularly his outspoken criticism of President Trump.
In January 2017, Soyinka made international headlines when he destroyed his U.S. Green Card in protest after Trump’s first election victory. In a report published by The Guardian (UK) on January 18, 2017, the Nobel laureate confirmed he had torn up the permanent residency document, describing the act as a symbolic rejection of Trump’s America.
Join our WhatsApp Channel“I delivered myself from uncertainty, from discomfort, from internal turmoil,” Soyinka said at the time, calling the decision “cathartic.”
He told The Atlantic magazine that he “preferred to go in the queue for a regular visa with others” and “was no longer part of the society, not even as a resident.”
During a 2016 talk at Oxford University’s Ertegun House, days before the U.S. election, Soyinka had vowed to perform a personal “Wolexit” if Trump won. “If in the unlikely event he does win, the first thing he’ll do is to say all green-card holders must reapply to come back into the U.S. Well, I’m not waiting for that,” he declared then.
READ ALSO: US Bans Wole Soyinka, Revokes Visa – Nobel Laureate Reacts
Following Trump’s victory, Soyinka fulfilled his pledge, saying he “felt disaster in [his] marrow” as the results came in. “Trump’s wall is already under construction,” he said. “Walls are built in the mind, and Trump has erected walls not only across the mental landscape of America but across the global landscape.”
While there is no official link between Soyinka’s 2017 protest and the current visa revocation, analysts note that the Nobel laureate’s long record of political activism and criticism of both Nigerian and foreign governments may have made him a target of tightened U.S. immigration scrutiny under Trump’s renewed administration.
The incident comes amid a broader tightening of U.S. visa policies for Nigerians. In July 2025, the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria announced that most non-immigrant visas would be limited to single-entry and three-month validity, down from the previous five-year multiple-entry permits.
Several Nigerians, including high-profile figures, have also reported quiet visa cancellations in recent months under the same regulation cited in Soyinka’s case.
Despite the controversy, Soyinka expressed hope that the matter would soon be resolved, saying he has always maintained cordial relations with U.S. diplomatic officials and academic institutions.
“I’ve enjoyed a long relationship with the United States, and I believe this misunderstanding will be cleared,” he said.
The U.S. Consulate in Lagos have not issued any public explanation as of press time.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
