Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has declined an invitation from the United States Consulate in Nigeria to attend a visa reinterview scheduled for Thursday, September 11.
Speaking with TheNEWS online, Soyinka confirmed receiving the notice, which was also sent to other Nigerians holding B1/B2 visas. The literary icon explained that he initially dismissed the letter as a scam attempt.
“I would like to begin by stressing the fact that, for me, this is not a personal issue. I have no idea how you got to know. By the way, I also have received the letter, which at first I thought was a fake. I thought it was these scammers who sort of prey on those eager to get visas elsewhere, with promise to deliver visas for a certain amount guaranteed,” he said.
Soyinka noted that he only realized the letter was genuine after reflecting on his longstanding cordial relationship with past U.S. ambassadors and cultural officials. Even at that, he found the request unnecessary.
According to him, he has little interest in pursuing visas to places “he does not want to go to and where he is not wanted.” He added: “So the question of going to such an interview is totally out of consideration.”
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The Nobel laureate was also displeased with the choice of date—September 11—for the reinterview, describing it as an inappropriate day given its tragic history in the United States.
“In addition, I happen to be a little bit superstitious of being given a significant date, not just for the United States but the rest of the world. I’m talking about 9/11. This is a day which I have always considered very critical for the United States especially. To me, 9/11 should be regarded as a day of national mourning, of atonement by the Consulate of the United States,” Soyinka said.
“They should close down offices on that day, not to keep inviting people to come and have their visas taken away. It should be a day of reflection, of serious, deep thinking in consideration of so many things. I think on that day, United States should shut down completely, universally. If they don’t shut down, at least I would shut down my relationship with them on that day. Because I’m very superstitious. I’m not going anywhere near there on 9/11. I will be airborne somewhere.”
Soyinka further argued that while diplomatic invitations are usually extensions of government policy, he remains cautious depending on the type of leadership behind them.
He cited the U.S. as an example, referencing what he described as a “white Idi Amin” at its helm, adding that he does not feel entirely safe responding to such calls.
