London-to-Lagos Solo Driver,  Pelumi Nubi, Gets Roaring Welcome in Lagos

Pelumi Nubi, a twenty-eight-year-old, Nigeria-British citizen, arrived in Lagos, Nigeria on April 7, 2024, after completing a solo road trip from London to Lagos, becoming the first black woman to achieve this feat. The event marked a historic moment in her life and was celebrated with glitz and glamour by the Lagos State government, family, friends, cultural dancers, and fans who had been following her journey online. Writes MARY NNAH 

The arrival of Pelumi Nubi, a twenty-eight-year-old Nigerian-British citizen and a travel and lifestyle content creator, at the Nigeria-Benin Republic Seme border around 9:15 am on April 7, 2024, was met with a roaring welcome from the representatives of the Lagos State Government, who were on display alongside dignitaries and a cheering crowd. She arrived in a Peugeot car with registration number DY 62FDM.

The Commissioner of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka, and the Special Adviser, Tourism, Arts and Culture, Idris Aregbe, received Pelumi on behalf of the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the border.

Nubi, a UK-based Nigerian global traveller and Travel and lifestyle content creator, began her journey on January 30th, travelling through West African countries, before reaching her final destination, Lagos, Nigeria, on April 7th.

However, she faced several challenges along the way, including a 24-hour hold at the Liberian border and being denied entry into Sierra Leone. As a result, she postponed her original return date from March 23rd, 2024, to April 7th, 2024.

After arriving at the border, Nubi proceeded to Lagos en route to Badagry into the rousing reception at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, Yaba area of the state for the homecoming celebration.

In an interview with newsmen, Nubi revealed that her desire to explore the African continent, where she was born, inspired her to embark on the solo trip.

Reflecting on her welcome reception, Nubi said, “I feel so good to be home. Honestly, the homecoming has been so amazing and welcoming. Amazingly, Nigeria is home to me, so I am truly delighted. I expected to be celebrated, but the manner of the homecoming has been overwhelming and incredible. I am grateful.”

In turn, the Lagos State government honoured Nubi’s achievement with a new car, house, and an ambassadorship for state tourism.

Nubi, who has been to over 80 countries, said her desire to explore the African continent, which is also her place of birth, inspired her to embark on the solo trip.

She talked about how audacious she is, the interesting events that took place as well as the challenges she encountered while journeying down to Lagos.

The UK-based Nigerian global traveller and Travel and lifestyle content creator, has etched her name in history as the first black woman to complete a solo road trip from London to Lagos.

She talked about her desire to explore the African continent, which is also her place of birth, and how this inspired her to embark on the solo trip.

“I was born in Lagos, Nigeria, and grew up in the UK, and each time I came home, I just flew for 6 hours but then, there is this West African region I haven’t met myself and I wanted to. So, I started Googling ‘overland travel’ and I just did not see people that looked like me, there were no explorers just being showcased in the media and I was like this needs to be changed in terms of travel, why is that story not been told, why is the African nation in terms of tourism not been explored”.

The solo traveller stressed further, “I’ve travelled to so many places and explored so many cultures and each time I was travelling, it was mostly to Europe, and Asia but my continent, I barely had any footprint there so I was like I want to explore more of this place I was born into.”

She also shared her audacious spirit and the interesting events that took place as well as the challenges she encountered while journeying down to Lagos.

Nubi reflected on the toughest experience during the solo drive that began on January 31st, 2024. She said that she felt lonely and missed her family and friends. She also talked about the accident she had in March, which she survived.

“I was shaken when I had the accident but I’m grateful it was just a temporary setback.”

It will be recalled that she survived a crash in March with a video of the wrecked vehicle revealing severe damage to the front and a shattered windshield. Nubi, on an Instagram page, posted about the auto crash where she survived.

The accident scene had pictures of her now-wrecked car, revealing severe damage to the front bumper and a shattered windscreen.

Moreso, an accompanying video shows her being carried in an ambulance, with the caption: “Say a prayer for me.”

Despite the obstacles, Nubi was grateful for the tremendous journey and the support she received from her family, friends, and fans.

Even so, the state government commended the resilience and “can do” spirit of Nubi.

Speaking with journalists at the National Stadium, Lagos, Aregbe, commended Nubi for achieving the landmark feat as she put the state on the world map despite having an accident during the solo drive road trip, adding, “She has demonstrated the can-do –spirit.”

The Special Adviser restated the commitment of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration to support youths with creative ideas to boost the tourism sector.

On his part Nubi’s father is a Professor in the Department of Estate Management, UNILAG; and the Founder/National Coordinator, Ideal Habitat Initiative. Prof Timothy Nubi described his daughter’s safe arrival in Nigeria as the “end of anxiety”.

Prof Nubi said, “I kept on telling people that what looks to you as content creation is a nightmare for my family. Every night we couldn’t sleep, so it’s been two months of fun for the whole world but not for us.”

Also, her mother,  Mrs Olubukola  Nubi said,  “When my daughter informed me about the trip, I approved of it because she had visited over 80 countries before and it was her choice to embark on the trip.”

She expressed joy and was visibly excited over her daughter’s achievement, encouraging youths to be focused and persevere to achieve whatever feat; they set their minds upon breaking the barrier of success.

Nubi started from England, crossed into France, Spain and headed to Morocco then through the West Sahara Desert, Mauritania, Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Mali, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Ghana, Togo, Benin finally reaching Lagos.

Nubi’s solo road trip from London to Lagos highlights her passion for exploring Africa’s rich cultural heritage and tourism potential. Her journey, which was fraught with obstacles and challenges, is an inspiration to many, especially women seeking motivation to excel. Her achievement has earned her a place in history as the first black woman to complete a solo road trip from London to Lagos.

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Nubi’s solo road trip from London to Lagos highlights her passion for exploring Africa’s rich cultural heritage and tourism potential. Her journey, which was fraught with obstacles and challenges, is an inspiration to many, especially women seeking motivation to excel. Her achievement has earned her a place in history as the first black woman to complete a solo road trip from London to Lagos