Meet Pelumi Nubi, the Daring Nigerian solo traveller who quit her PhD to drive from London to Lagos

Meet Pelumi Nubi, the daring Nigerian Solo Traveller

While browsing through my Instagram feed and online blogs in the past few weeks, one thing I learned about Pelumi Nubi – the Nigerian-born solo traveller is that the conventional path was never meant for her.

Pelumi Nubi is a free-spirited travel and lifestyle content creator with an insatiable wanderlust. While most would find security in pursuits like a doctoral degree, Pelumi boldly traded her PhD for the ultimate lifetime adventure – a solo journey by road from London to Lagos.

At just 29 years old, Pleumi has travelled around the world, exploring over 80 countries and immersing herself in a myriad of cultures.

Among the countries she has explored are Spain, Germany, Portugal, Togo, China, UAE, Italy, Turkey, Zimbabwe, and Ukraine. However, despite her extensive travels, she longed for a deeper connection to her Nigerian roots.

Pelumi Nubi

In her words, “ “I was born in Lagos, Nigeria, and grew up in the UK with my family since I was 10 years old, and each time I came home, I just flew for 6 hours … but then, there is this West African region I haven’t really immersed myself into, and I wanted to”.

And on January 31st, 2024, she embarked on this audacious journey with nothing but her trusty car ‘ Lumi’ and a backpack filled with travel essentials. Starting from England, her route took her to France, then Spain, and Morocco. From there, she went through the West Sahara Desert, Mauritania, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Mali, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Ghana, Togo, Benin, and finally Lagos, Nigeria- her birthplace.

Amidst the thrill of the open road, adversity reared its head. Shortly after her arrival in Liberia, Pelumi faced a harrowing car accident—a moment captured and shared on her social media platforms. Despite the setback, Pelumi remained resolute, pressing forward with unwavering determination.

After 68 days on the road, Pelumi Nubi arrived in Lagos on April 7th, 2024, to a hero’s welcome. At the Seme border, she was greeted with cheers and applause from adoring fans and fellow Nigerians, celebrating her historic achievement as the first black woman to solo drive from London to Lagos. The Governor of Lagos State, Sanwo-Olu, personally welcomed her and honoured her as a Lagos State tourist ambassador, recognizing her indomitable spirit and remarkable feat.

Pelumi Nubi with Governor Sanwo-olu
Pelumi Nubi with Governor Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Nigeria

However, Pelumi’s accolades didn’t end there. In a gesture of appreciation for her extraordinary feat, she was gifted a Lagride car, a house, and full reimbursement for the expenses incurred during her expedition. Additionally, her trusty companion ‘Lumi’ was kept as an exhibit at the prestigious J.K Randle Museum in Lagos State.

As Pelumi’s story spreads like wildfire across social media and travel circles, she serves as a reminder that life is meant to be lived to the fullest, and that adventure awaits around every corner for those brave enough to seek it. 

With each mile she travelled, Pelumi Nubi broke down barriers and shattered stereotypes, inspiring the world that ‘impossible is just a word, especially when you’ve got enough grit and determination to embrace the unknown.

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