After 68 days of traversing roads and borders, Pelumi Nubi, a UK-based Nigerian travel enthusiast, has completed an extraordinary solo journey from London, United Kingdom, to Lagos, Nigeria, receiving a warm and enthusiastic welcome upon her arrival.
Setting off on January 30, 2024, the 28-year-old embarked on her cross-continental adventure in a compact Peugeot 107 Hatchback, covering numerous countries and diverse landscapes.
Her journey took her through a variety of locations, including the bustling streets of London, the picturesque countryside of France and Spain, the exotic landscapes of Morocco, and the challenging terrain of the Western Sahara Desert. Crossing borders and vast distances, she traveled through Mauritania, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Mali, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, and finally, her destination—Lagos.
At the Nigeria-Benin Republic border, Pelumi Nubi was warmly received on behalf of the Lagos State government by Commissioner of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, and Special Adviser on Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Idris Aregbe.
In an interview with Vanguard, Nubi shared her motivations for undertaking this remarkable journey, expressing a desire to bridge the gap between her two homes, Lagos and London. She sought to experience the essence of West Africa firsthand, a perspective often overlooked in mainstream travel narratives.
Reflecting on the challenges she faced during the expedition, Pelumi’s father, Professor Nubi Gbenga, expressed gratitude for the safe completion of her journey, attributing its success to divine blessings. Despite the inherent risks, including sleeping in her compact car on deserted roadsides and waking up in unfamiliar landscapes, Pelumi remained undeterred in her quest for adventure and connection.
