Between Wole Soyinka And The U.S,By Simbo Olorunfemi

“If they don’t shut down, at least I WOULD SHUT DOWN MY RELATIONSHIP with them on that day” – Wole Soyinka, September 10, 2025

I have been reading ‘essays’ here and there making the decision by the US Embassy to revoke WS’ B1/B2 Visa about Wole Soyinka’s 2016 decision to ‘cut up’ his ‘green card’ should Donald Trump emerge as President.

As usual, this matter has become a prop in the hands of pugilists wrestling with their own demons.

It is difficult to tell apart which of the arguments is borne out of mischief or ignorance and those simply misinformed or comprehension.

Having turned down his permanent residency status, ‘cutting up’ his ‘green card’ as promised, Wole Soyinka has relied on the B1/B2 Visa for his travels to the U.S. since then. That visa was only renewed in 2024, and should have remained valid till 2026, at least.

But that changed in September, when Wole Soyinka rejected the American Consulate invitation for a ‘reinterview’ on September 11, which he described as “strange and bizarre”, especially on the choice of date for this ‘reinterview’ for someone with a valid visa.

“I happen to be a little bit superstitious of being given a significant date, not just for the United States but the rest of the world. I’m talking about 9/11. This is a day which I have always considered very critical for the United States especially. To me, 9/11 should be regarded as a day of national mourning, of atonement by the Consulate of the United States.

“They should close down offices on that day, not to keep inviting people to come and have their visas taken away. It should be a day of reflection, of serious, deep thinking…”

It might have been that the decision by the American Consulate was not specifically targeted at Wole Soyinka, as there were reports that the U.S. has begun a systemic cancellation of already issued visas.

But for Wole Soyinka, the symbolism of the invitation was significant and he made a decision not to honour the invitation, even if that meant bringing an end to his life-long relationship with the U.S.

“Sincerely, I have more important things to do than chase visas for places I don’t want to go to and where I am not wanted. So the question of going to such an interview is totally out of consideration.”

So, the decision to revoke the visa, which is getting some giddy with excitement is not something he is complaining about. He took a principled position, for which the U.S. has acted as it would do for those who refuse to honour the invitation, and that is just what it is.

Wole Soyinka is not complaining. He is not desperate to go to America. He obviously can’t be. Even at 91, he is still in high demand around the world, which is why he has put the information out for those in the U.S., who might be needing him for one thing or the other over there. They know where to find him.

Those who are smart enough to understand the dynamics of soft power in international relations will understand the essence and symbolism of the information in the public domain.

Wole Soyinka will be fine. He is not complaining, as some assume him to be doing. He elected, out of principle, just as he did with the ‘green card’, not to honour the invitation by the American Consulate and live with the consequences of his decision.

That is it, in a nutshell