Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka has reacted with characteristic humour to the United States government’s decision to revoke his visa, saying 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Harvest Gallery, Freedom Park, Lagos Island, on Tuesday, the playwright confirmed that the US Consulate had officially withdrawn his B1/B2 visa in a letter dated October 23, 2025, citing “additional information” that became available after it was issued.
Soyinka said he was informed to return his passport to the Consulate for review but declined the invitation.
“First of all, I didn’t like the date, November 11, everyone knows what happened on that day many years ago,” he said, adding that he was “superstitious” about the date and refused to appear.
He added that the Consulate later informed him that his refusal meant his visa would be revoked, to which he responded humorously:
“I said, by all means, I’ll be willing to receive the letter of revocation. I also assured him that both he and his staff are granted permanent visa waivers anytime they wish to visit the Autonomous Republic of Ijegba.”
Reflecting on possible reasons for the decision, Soyinka joked that it might be linked to his past remarks about Trump.
“I remembered I once referred to him as a white version of Idi Amin. Dictators are difficult to please,” he said. “I actually thought I was paying him a compliment, Idi Amin was a man of international stature, a liberator, even called himself King of Scotland.”
Idi Amin, who ruled Uganda from 1971 to 1979, was notorious for his brutal dictatorship and human rights abuses. Soyinka’s comparison was clearly laced with irony, using satire to highlight the dangers of authoritarianism and excess political power.
The 89-year-old author clarified that he bears no grudge against the United States and remains “content with the revocation.”
“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.”
Soyinka’s comments, laced with humour and irony, echo his long-standing criticism of authoritarianism and his commitment to speaking truth to power, even when it costs him personally.
Ademide Adebayo
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