The US Embassy in Lagos has responded to news about the revocation of Prof. Wole Soyinka’s visa, stressing that US entry permits are privileges, not rights, and can be canceled at any moment.
The clarification comes amid public curiosity after the Nobel laureate revealed that his B1/B2 visa had been revoked by the Embassy.
The Embassy said through its Public Diplomacy Officer, Julia McKay, that due to privacy restrictions, it was unable to give specifics about Soyinka’s case.
“Under U.S. law, visa records are generally confidential. We will not discuss the details of this individual visa case,” she stated.
McKay stressed that no individual is entitled to a U.S. visa.
“Visas are a privilege, not a right … visas may be revoked at any time, at the discretion of the U.S. government, whenever circumstances warrant,” she said in the email response.
Soyinka revealed the revocation of his visa during a media briefing in Lagos earlier this week.
The 91-year-old writer told journalists that he received a letter dated October 23, 2025, from the U.S. Consulate in Lagos notifying him of the cancellation.
He also stated that he currently holds no visa and will not be traveling to the United States until further notice.
The iconic playwright said he could not identify any wrongdoing that may have triggered the action but recalled two minor decades-old incidents involving U.S. airport rules and a disagreement with police officers.
