Fatimah Otunsanya
The United States Embassy in Lagos has stated that visas granted by the country to foreign nationals are based on privilege, not a right.
The US Consulate in Lagos made this clarification on Thursday in response to an inquiry from the newsmen regarding the revocation of the visa of Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka.
In an email response to the newsmen on Thursday, the Consulate noted that it could not discuss the details of the particular visa for confidentiality reasons.
“Under U.S. law, visa records are generally confidential. We will not discuss the details of this individual visa case,” the US Nigeria Mission spokesperson said.
The US Nigeria Mission added that visas could be revoked at any time at the discretion of the US government, noting that they are a privilege.
“Visas are a privilege, not a right. Every country, including the United States, can determine who enters its borders. Visas may be revoked at any time, at the discretion of the U.S. government, whenever circumstances warrant,” the Mission said in an email responding to the newsmen.
Soyinka had, during a media parley on Tuesday in Lagos, announced the revocation of his B1/B2 visa by the US Embassy.
The 91-year-old world-acclaimed writer told journalists at Kongi’s Harvest, Freedom Park, that he should not be expected in the US by anyone, as he currently has no visa.
Addressing the media at the parley titled “Unending Saga: Idi Amin in Whiteface,” Soyinka said the notice of revocation was communicated to him by the US Consulate General in Lagos, in a letter dated October 23, 2025.
“It is necessary for me to hold this press conference so that people in the United States who are expecting me for this event or that event do not waste their time.
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,” the author, playwright, and poet told journalists at the upper chamber of the art gallery.
Soyinka, who is a staunch critic of US President Donald Trump, stressed that he did not know the basis for the revocation of his visa.
While pondering over the revocation of his visa, the renowned writer said he could not recall any offence by committed by him that could have warranted the decision to revoke his visa.