The United States administration, led by President Donald Trump, has revoked the visa of Nobel Laureate and internationally recognized writer Professor Wole Soyinka. Soyinka revealed this on Tuesday at Kongi's Harvest Gallery in Freedom Park, Lagos Island, where he spoke to journalists about the subject. Soyinka expressed surprise at the decision, saying he was unaware of any transgression that may have resulted in the cancellation of his visa.
He stated that the US government was conducting a witch hunt.
“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 stated.
The Nobel laureate further stated that he had received formal notification of the visa revocation from the US Consulate and that he was now unable to go to the nation.
“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,” Soyinka said.
According to him, the development was notified via an official letter, but no particular justification was provided for the move.
“I’m still looking into my past history. I don’t have any past criminal record or even a felony or misdemeanor to qualify for the revocation.”
The professor also stated that he had begun to consider whether any of his previous activities may have sparked the choice.
“I’ve started looking back—have I ever misbehaved toward the United States of America? Do I have a history? Have I been convicted? Have I gone against the law anywhere?” he asked.
Soyinka, one of Africa's most recognized literary luminaries, has long maintained a solid relationship with the US scholarly community; therefore, the revocation surprised many observers.
