Soyinka Reacts with Humour to US Visa Revocation
By Naija Enquirer Staff
Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka has responded with trademark wit after the United States revoked his visa, a move he confirmed during an event at Kongi’s Harvest Gallery in Lagos on Tuesday. The 89-year-old writer said the US Consulate formally withdrew his B1/B2 visa in a letter dated October 23, 2025, citing “additional information” discovered after its issuance.
Soyinka noted that the Consulate requested his passport for review, but he declined due to personal superstition about the suggested date, November 11. “Everyone knows what happened on that day many years ago,” he joked, referencing global historic events tied to the date. He added that the Consulate later informed him the refusal triggered the visa revocation. “I said, by all means, I’ll be willing to receive the letter of revocation,” he recounted.
In his characteristic playful tone, Soyinka also offered a tongue-in-cheek diplomatic gesture: “I assured them that both he and his staff are granted permanent visa waivers anytime they wish to visit the Autonomous Republic of Ijegba.”
Satire, Irony, and Power
Soyinka speculated humorously about the motive for the decision, suggesting it could relate to his earlier comments comparing former US President Donald Trump to “a white version of Idi Amin.” He remarked, “Dictators are difficult to please. I thought I was paying him a compliment — Idi Amin was a man of international stature, a liberator, even called himself King of Scotland.”
The remark, steeped in irony, pointed to Amin’s notorious legacy of brutality during his rule in Uganda from 1971 to 1979. Soyinka used satire to warn against authoritarian tendencies and highlight the fragility of political egos.
Despite the diplomatic stir, the renowned playwright said he remained unfazed. “I’m very content with the revocation of my visa. If the Americans have anything legitimate to do with me, they know where to find me.”
With humour sharpened by decades of activism, Soyinka’s reaction underscores his enduring commitment to speaking truth to power whether at home or abroad.
