Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka has revealed that the United States government has revoked his entry visa, making it temporarily impossible for him to travel to the country.
Soyinka, who spoke on Tuesday, said he received the notification with surprise, adding that he had not been given any prior indication of a possible restriction. He explained that the development came to his attention when he attempted to renew or make use of the visa.
The Nobel Prize-winning author noted that he has maintained long-standing academic and cultural ties with institutions in the United States, where he has frequently lectured and participated in public events.
“It came as a surprise,” Soyinka said, adding that he hoped the issue would be resolved soon. He did not disclose further details about the reason for the revocation.
As of press time, the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria had not issued an official statement on the matter. Attempts to obtain clarification from American authorities were unsuccessful.
Professor Wole Soyinka, who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1986, is one of Africa’s most prominent literary figures and human rights advocates.
