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The Digest:

The United States has revoked the visa of Nobel laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, with officials stating that "visas are a privilege, not a right." The 91-year-old playwright revealed the decision while pondering what "additional information" led to the cancellation of his travel document.

Key Points:
  • The US Consulate in Lagos confirmed the revocation, citing visa confidentiality.
  • Soyinka received the official revocation letter dated October 23, 2025.
  • He was asked to return his passport for the visa's physical cancellation.
  • The scholar recalled only two minor incidents from decades ago as potential causes.
  • These included a $25 fine for undeclared chilies and a police confrontation in the 1970s.
  • Soyinka is a known critic of US President Donald Trump.
  • The US stated that every country has the sovereign right to determine who enters its borders.
The move transcends a personal travel ban, touching on themes of sovereignty, expression, and the precarious status of even the most celebrated global citizens. It reveals how quickly established pathways can close, turning access into a memory.

Sources: The PUNCH, US Consulate Statement