Nigeria’s Nobel Prize-winning author and playwright, Professor Wole Soyinka, has disclosed that his United States visa was revoked following his public criticism of former President Donald Trump, according to reports emerging on Thursday, October 30, 2025.
The 91-year-old literary icon, who became the first African to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1986, revealed the visa revocation during recent public statements, highlighting the diplomatic and political ramifications that can follow outspoken commentary on international leaders.
Professor Soyinka has been a consistent critic of authoritarian tendencies and has not shied away from commenting on global political developments, including policies and statements by Trump during his presidency. The acclaimed author’s candid views on various world leaders have made him a prominent voice in international discourse on democracy and human rights.
While specific details about the timing and circumstances of the visa revocation remain limited, the development raises questions about diplomatic protocols and the treatment of internationally recognized intellectuals who exercise their freedom of expression on matters of public interest.
The incident has sparked conversations among Nigerian intellectuals, civil society organizations, and international human rights advocates about the balance between diplomatic relations and freedom of speech. Many have expressed concern that such actions could set troubling precedents for academic and artistic exchange between nations.
Professor Soyinka remains an influential figure in global literary and political circles, continuing to write, lecture, and advocate for democratic values despite restrictions on his international mobility. His works and activism have earned him widespread respect and numerous accolades throughout his distinguished career spanning more than six decades.
