Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka has reacted wittily to the United States government’s decision to revoke his visa, recalling that he once described former US President Donald Trump as “a white version of Idi Amin.”
Speaking during a media parley at Kongi’s Harvest Gallery, Freedom Park, Lagos Island, on Tuesday, the playwright confirmed that the US Consulate had officially withdrawn his B1/B2 visa in a letter dated October 23, 2025. The letter cited “additional information” that emerged after the visa was issued.
Soyinka said the Consulate requested that he return his passport for review, but he declined, explaining that the proposed date for the visit November 11 was one he considered “superstitiously unfavourable.”
“First of all, I didn’t like the date, November 11; everyone knows what happened on that day many years ago,” he said. “So I refused to appear.”
According to him, the Consulate later informed him that his refusal to comply meant his visa would be revoked. In his usual humorous fashion, he replied:
“I said, by all means, I’ll be willing to receive the letter of revocation. I also assured them that both they and their staff are granted permanent visa waivers anytime they wish to visit the Autonomous Republic of Ijegba.”
Reflecting on the possible reason behind the revocation, Soyinka recalled his earlier remarks about Donald Trump.
“I remembered I once referred to him as a white version of Idi Amin. Dictators are difficult to please,” he quipped. “I actually thought I was paying him a compliment; Idi Amin was a man of international stature, a liberator—he even called himself King of Scotland.”
The 89-year-old writer, however, said he harbours no resentment toward the United States.
“I’m very content with the revocation of my visa,” he said. “If the Americans have anything legitimate to do with me, they know where to find me.”
Known for his satirical wit and outspoken criticism of authoritarianism, Soyinka’s response once again underscored his lifelong commitment to speaking truth to power often with humour and irony.
