Wole Soyinka says he foresaw US mass visa and green card revocations under Donald Trump, calling the ex-president a “petty-minded dictator

Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has said he predicted the mass revocation of visas and green cards by the United States Government under President Donald Trump.

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In an interview published by BBC News Pidgin on Wednesday, Soyinka — whose US visa was recently revoked — said he knew Trump would target immigrants once he came to power.

“This is a petty-minded dictator,” Soyinka said. “We saw that dark side of the American system — more killings, more hate rhetoric. I said it long ago: when that man comes to power, the first thing he will do is cancel even the green cards.”

Soyinka’s comments come amid renewed diplomatic tension between Nigeria and the US, after Trump designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged persecution of Christians.

The former US president also threatened possible military intervention if the killings persist.

The renowned playwright, who famously tore up his US Green Card after Trump’s 2016 election victory, revealed that his current visa was revoked in October 2025.

According to him, the US Consulate in Lagos requested he return the visa for “physical cancellation.”

“I’m not going to wait to be told to come for a reinterview or to be kicked out. I prefer to kick myself out — it’s more dignified,” the 91-year-old author said.

Soyinka disclosed that he had also received a tax audit letter from the US Internal Revenue Service shortly after Trump assumed office, describing the timing as “very impressive coincidence.”

He clarified that he had complied with the audit process and maintained that he had nothing to hide.

“Audits happen from time to time; it’s to make sure one is not cheating. That’s fine,” he noted.

The US Mission in Nigeria, reacting to inquiries about the revocation, said visas are “a privilege, not a right,” and may be cancelled at any time “whenever circumstances warrant.”

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Soyinka maintained that he had no regrets severing ties with the US, insisting he foresaw the divisive politics and discriminatory policies that would follow Trump’s presidency.