Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka has once again sparked heated debate after rejecting a scheduled U.S. visa reinterview while launching a scathing attack on American leadership.
In a statement on Saturday, Soyinka disclosed that he turned down the request from U.S. immigration authorities, describing the process as unnecessary and disrespectful.
The literary icon went further, comparing the U.S. President to a “white Idi Amin,” a reference to the late Ugandan dictator infamous for his authoritarian regime.
According to Soyinka, the decision to decline the reinterview was not just personal but symbolic of broader systemic flaws.
“Such processes reflect deeper issues of prejudice and flawed immigration systems,” he said, stressing that no pursuit of international travel should come at the expense of human dignity.
His rejection of the visa reinterview was seen as unexpected, particularly for someone of his global stature who has often engaged with U.S. institutions.
However, the Nobel Laureate insisted that his stance was about principle rather than convenience.
While defending his decision, Soyinka did not hold back in his critique of the current U.S. administration.
By branding the American President a “white Idi Amin,” he drew a controversial comparison that many have described as excessive, though others believe it reflects his fearless candor.
The statement has since gained traction online, with hashtags around Soyinka’s name trending across Nigeria and within diaspora communities.
Some commentators praised him for boldly addressing what they see as arrogance in U.S. immigration procedures.
Soyinka concluded his remarks by reiterating the importance of dignity, saying the situation serves as a reminder that “dignity should never be compromised in the pursuit of international travel.”
This development comes at a time when immigration policies in the U.S. continue to attract scrutiny worldwide.
