Soyinka Rejects US Consulate Visa Re-Interview Invitation…….
Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has reportedly turned down an invitation by the United States Consulate in Lagos to appear for a re-interview after his earlier visa application encounter stirred controversy.
The development comes days after reports emerged that Soyinka, 90, had faced an unusual delay during a routine visa renewal process, sparking debate both within Nigeria and in the international community. Many Nigerians expressed dismay that the globally celebrated writer, who has lived and lectured extensively in the US, could be subjected to what they described as “demeaning procedures.”
In a statement issued through his media office on Wednesday, Soyinka confirmed receiving the consulate’s invitation but firmly rejected the idea of returning for another round of questioning. According to him, the episode was “a needless bureaucratic entanglement” and did not warrant his further participation.
“I have no intention of subjecting myself to another round of the so-called re-interview,” Soyinka noted. “My decision is not born out of rancor but of principle. The treatment I received raised fundamental questions about the respect accorded to individuals and their contributions, irrespective of nationality.”
The Consulate, for its part, insisted that the visa process followed standard global procedures and was not in any way targeted at the playwright. It maintained that visa applicants, regardless of status, must sometimes undergo additional reviews to ensure compliance with immigration guidelines.
However, Soyinka’s refusal has reignited broader conversations about how prominent Africans are treated at foreign embassies. Civil society groups have since weighed in, describing the episode as another reminder of the power imbalance in international relations. The Pan-African Writers Association called the development “regrettable,” while urging governments to demand greater respect for citizens who have brought honor to their countries.
Some commentators argue that Soyinka’s rejection is also symbolic, serving as a statement of dignity and resistance against what he has often referred to as “hegemonies of disrespect.” Others, however, caution that the issue should not be blown out of proportion, emphasizing that visa officers are bound by procedure rather than personalities.
For Soyinka, who remains Nigeria’s most acclaimed literary figure and a vocal advocate for human rights, the decision seems final. As he put it, “My work and travels will continue, but they shall not be dictated by unnecessary indignities.”
The consulate has yet to issue a follow-up response regarding Soyinka’s decision.
