“Sad! What the U.S. Has Become!” — Sowore Reacts to Revocation of Wole Soyinka’s Visa

Human rights activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, has expressed disappointment over the United States government’s decision to revoke the visa of Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Sowore described the development as “sad,” writing:

“Donald Trump reportedly revokes U.S. visa of Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka! Sad! What the U.S. has become!”

Sowore’s reaction came shortly after Professor Soyinka disclosed that his U.S. visa had been withdrawn. The playwright made the revelation during a media briefing at Kongi’s Harvest Gallery, Freedom Park, Lagos Island.

“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,” Soyinka 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.”

According to Soyinka, the U.S. Consulate informed him of the decision in a letter dated October 23, 2025. He stated that he was unaware of any wrongdoing that might have triggered the revocation, describing the action as “surprising and unjustified.”

The Nobel Laureate urged the public to remain steadfast in defending freedom and fairness, warning that such incidents undermine the principles of justice and equality.

Soyinka also noted that he had maintained a long-standing, cordial relationship with the United States, except for moments of tension during the administration of former President Donald Trump.