By Muhammad Mamman
Prominent Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has criticised the United States government for reportedly revoking the visa of Nigeria’s Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, describing the action as “disrespectful” and “an affront to intellectual freedom.”
Gumi, reacting in Kaduna on Monday, said the development was both unnecessary and insulting to Nigeria, stressing that Soyinka, as a global figure and symbol of moral courage, deserved better treatment from any nation claiming to uphold democratic values.
“Wole Soyinka is one of the brightest minds Africa has produced,” Gumi said. “For the United States to revoke his visa, or even summon him for re-screening, is humiliating and completely unwarranted. He should be treated with the respect his global status commands.”
The cleric said the incident underscored how African intellectuals and leaders are sometimes undervalued internationally, urging Nigeria’s government to register its displeasure through diplomatic channels.
“This should not be taken lightly,” he added. “Nigeria must defend its own. When you disrespect a man like Soyinka, you disrespect the entire country.”
Reports of Soyinka’s visa revocation have dominated public discourse in recent days. The Nobel Prize-winning author and human rights advocate revealed that the US Consulate had invited him for what it termed a “re-interview” — an invitation he declined, calling it “strange and demeaning.”
The incident has sparked widespread reactions across Nigeria’s cultural and political circles, with many describing it as an affront to a global literary icon known for his fearless criticism of tyranny and advocacy for justice.
While the US authorities have not publicly confirmed the revocation, observers say the controversy could strain cultural and diplomatic relations, especially given Soyinka’s longstanding ties with American academia and civil society.
Civil society groups have also weighed in, calling on Washington to clarify the circumstances surrounding the issue, while urging both countries to handle the matter with mutual respect.
For decades, Wole Soyinka — Africa’s first Nobel Laureate in Literature — has been celebrated for his contributions to global culture and human rights. Many Nigerians view the current row as not merely a personal slight but a symbolic slight against the nation’s intellectual pride.
