Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka said on Tuesday that the United States government had revoked his visa, effectively banning him from travelling to the country.
Soyinka made the announcement at a press conference held at Kongi’s Harvest Gallery, Freedom Park, Lagos Island.
Soyinka expressed surprise and confusion over the revocation, stating that he was unaware of any offence that could have led to the cancellation of his visa.
“It is necessary for me to hold this conference so that people in the United States who are expecting me for this event or that event do not waste their time,” he said.
“I have no visa; I am banned, obviously, from the United States. And if you want to see me, you know where to find me.”
The US Consulate informed Soyinka of the visa revocation through an official letter, citing no specific reason for the action.
Soyinka said that he had begun reflecting on his past actions, questioning whether anything might have triggered the decision.
He said: “I’m still looking into my past history… I don’t have any past criminal record or even a felony or misdemeanour to qualify for the revocation.”
Soyinka, a renowned literary figure, has long maintained a strong relationship with the US academic and literary community, making the revocation a surprise to many observers.
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