Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has reacted to the recent cancellation of his United States visa, saying he had long predicted that mass visa and green card revocations would occur under former US President Donald Trump.

Speaking in an interview published by BBC News Pidgin on Wednesday, Soyinka said he knew from the start of Trump’s presidency that such a policy would come.

“This is a petty-minded dictator,” Soyinka said. “You see how he deals with his objects of hate. There were more killings, more police brutality, and hate rhetoric during that period. I said it before — when that man comes to power, the first thing he will do is cancel even the green cards.”

His comment comes amid growing diplomatic tension between Nigeria and the United States, following Trump’s recent remarks accusing the Nigerian government of allowing a “genocide against Christians.”

Trump, who is again running for president, warned that the U.S. could intervene militarily if the alleged killings continued — a statement that has sparked widespread criticism and panic both locally and internationally.

Soyinka’s History with Trump’s Presidency

Wole Soyinka has been one of Trump’s most outspoken critics since 2016. Ahead of Trump’s first inauguration, he famously vowed to destroy his Green Card — a promise he later fulfilled.

“I have already done it,” Soyinka had said at the time. “I threw away the card and returned home. I had a horror of what was to come with Trump.”

The Nobel laureate said he has no regrets about cutting ties with the U.S., insisting that the political climate during Trump’s tenure reflected the “dark side of America.”

Visa Revocation and Tax Audit

During a recent media briefing in Lagos, Soyinka revealed that the U.S. Embassy had officially revoked his B1/B2 visa.

In a letter dated October 23, 2025, the U.S. Consulate in Lagos requested that he submit his visa “for physical cancellation.” Soyinka described the letter as “a joke,” saying he had no plans to reapply.

He also disclosed that the visa issue came shortly after receiving a letter from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) about a tax audit — a coincidence he found “impressive.”

“After Trump took office, I got a letter from the IRS asking me to report for an audit,” Soyinka said. “I didn’t mind the audit, but it was interesting timing.”

He explained that he voluntarily went to the embassy to clarify his situation to avoid being portrayed as a tax evader.

“I didn’t want to be seen as a tax dodger being chased all over the world,” he noted. “So, I went to the embassy and cooperated fully.”

Soyinka Maintains Respect for Americans

Despite the diplomatic tension, Soyinka maintained that he holds no grudge against the American people or embassy staff.

He said he has always been treated with courtesy whenever he visited the U.S. mission and that his criticism is solely directed at Trump’s policies, not the country itself.

Nigeria–US Diplomatic Strain Deepens

The U.S. recently designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern,” citing alleged religious persecution — a move strongly rejected by Nigeria’s Federal Government.

Information Minister Mohammed Idris clarified that the violence in Nigeria is driven by terrorism, not religion, adding that both Christians and Muslims are victims.

“Nigeria faces terrorism, not religious persecution,” he said. “Since 2023, President Tinubu’s administration has neutralised over 13,500 militants and rescued more than 11,000 hostages.”

The government reiterated its commitment to protecting all citizens and to cooperating with international allies — including the U.S. — while preserving national sovereignty.

As tension continues to rise between both nations, Soyinka’s experience adds a personal layer to the growing debate about U.S. foreign policy and Nigeria’s global standing.