Nobel laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka says he foresaw the mass revocation of U.S. visas and green cards under the administration of President Donald Trump, describing the American leader as a “petty-minded dictator.”
In an interview with BBC News Pidgin on Wednesday, Soyinka—whose U.S. visa was recently revoked—said he predicted that Trump’s return to power would trigger sweeping immigration clampdowns.
“This is a petty-minded dictator. You see how he deals with his objects of hate. I said, ‘When that man comes to power, the first thing he will do is cancel even the green cards,’” Soyinka stated.
His comments come amid diplomatic tensions between Nigeria and the U.S., following Trump’s recent designation of Nigeria as a ‘Country of Particular Concern’ over alleged persecution of Christians and threats of military intervention if the killings persist.
Soyinka, a long-time critic of Trump, recalled that he had publicly vowed to tear up his Green Card ahead of Trump’s first inauguration in 2017, a decision he says he carried out.
“I have already done it. I have disengaged from the United States. I threw away the card and relocated back home,” the 91-year-old playwright said.
The U.S. Embassy in Lagos recently revoked Soyinka’s B1/B2 visa, according to a letter dated October 23, 2025, which asked him to return the visa for physical cancellation. The Embassy did not disclose reasons but noted that “visas are a privilege, not a right” and may be revoked at any time.
Soyinka revealed that he had also received a tax audit notice from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) shortly after Trump took office.
“After he took office, I got a letter from the IRS telling me to report for an audit. The coincidence for me was very impressive,” he said, adding that he complied fully with the process.
The Nobel laureate reiterated that he had no personal grievances against U.S. citizens or embassy staff, stressing that he was always treated with respect.
“I have no problem with Americans or their embassy. They’ve always treated me courteously. My issue is with the toxic rhetoric and the leadership that fosters division,” Soyinka said.
He added that he chose to leave the United States voluntarily to preserve his dignity:
“I said I’m not going to wait to be told to come for a re-interview or simply told, ‘Get out! The Green Card is cancelled!’ I don’t like to be kicked out — I prefer to kick myself out.”
The development follows the U.S. State Department’s July decision to limit most Nigerian non-immigrant visas to single-entry, three-month validity, a move widely seen as part of Washington’s tightening immigration and security policy under Trump.
