Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has revealed that he declined an invitation from the United States Embassy for a visa re-interview because the appointment fell on September 11, a date he described as “uncomfortable and symbolic.”
Speaking on Tuesday at a media parley in Lagos, the 91-year-old writer said he could not bring himself to visit the embassy on the anniversary of the 2001 terror attacks.
“I was given a date to report to their consulate with my passport,” Soyinka said. “First of all, I didn’t like the date. Everybody knows what happened on that date, 9/11, many years ago, so I said, ‘Sorry, I’m superstitious; I’m not coming on that day.’” He added that he later chose not to pursue another appointment with the embassy.
The world-renowned playwright spoke during a media event tagged “Unending Saga: Idi Amin in Whiteface” at Kongi’s Harvest Gallery, Freedom Park, Lagos Island. There, he disclosed that the US embassy had revoked his visa and that the parley was necessary to inform those expecting him in the US that he had effectively been “banned.”
“I have no visa; I am banned, obviously, from the United States,” Soyinka declared with a wry smile. “So if you want to see me, you know where to find me.” The Nobel laureate noted that he received an official letter of revocation dated October 23, 2025, from the US Consulate, citing “additional information” discovered after his visa was issued in April 2024.
In the letter, the Consulate informed Soyinka that his non-immigrant visa had been revoked under section 22 CFR 41.122 of the US Department of State regulations and requested that he return his passport for “physical cancellation.” Soyinka described the request as “humorous,” asking the audience if anyone would volunteer to deliver it on his behalf.
Despite the development, Soyinka said the revocation would not affect his friendship with American citizens. “I assured the ambassador that both he and his staff have permanent visas to visit the Autonomous Republic of Ijegba anytime they wish,” he joked, referring to his residence in Abeokuta. “There will be no reciprocal conduct from my principalities.”
When asked if he would consider reapplying for a visa, Soyinka replied that he had no intention of doing so. “How old am I now? What am I looking for anywhere?” he said. “They owe me nothing, and I owe them nothing. If circumstances change and I’m invited, maybe I will go, but I won’t take the initiative myself.”