Pelumi Nubi defies the odds by driving solo from London to Lagos
Pelumi Nubi, a trailblazing adventurer, embarked on an epic solo road trip from London, UK on January 24 2024 to Lagos, Nigeria, covering over 10,000 km in her small and trusty purple Peugeot 107.
Pelumi's extraordinary journey took her through 17 destinations across Europe and West
Africa, including France, Spain, Morocco, Mauritania, Senegal, and Ghana. On this journey
of ultimate discovery, she witnessed the beauty and diversity in the cultures, languages and
people of the nations she visited, all whilst documenting her once-in-a-lifetime experience on social media.
“I aim to share this adventure authentically, reminding us that while we all face the inevitable end, only a few truly embrace the essence of living! So please go ahead and do the things that set your soul on fire - that goal, get to it, that email send it, that project start it. Life is incredibly short!” Pelumi stated.
What sets Pelumi's journey apart is her unwavering spirit, even in the face of adversity.
Pelumi specially modified her car for the journey by adding a sleeping area and a kitchen that enabled her to camp in most of the countries she visited. However, as she journeyed through the West African country of Ivory Coast, she experienced a terrifying accident that severely damaged her car. Luckily after walking away unscathed and with the help of kind strangers, Pelumi fixed her car and moved forward, undeterred in her mission to reach her final destination: the vibrant city of Lagos, Nigeria.
Throughout all the ups and downs Pelumi has been dutifully sharing her journey, relishing
every opportunity to highlight stories from the incredible communities she’s encountered.
Her excitement is palpable as she recounts her experiences:
“It’s been an incredible adventure, filled with beautiful surprises. On the way, I enjoyed
parasailing over what was once the world’s largest bridge in Southern France, witnessed the
breathtaking Sagrada Família in Spain and stopped to witness the enchanting city of Chefchaouen, the blue jewel of Morocco."
Although Pelumi will enjoy the title of being the first Black Female traveller to undertake this journey, the adventure itself was not about the title or the miles. She highlights the stories from the communities she encounters while solo travelling, offering a perspective rarely showcased in the media, especially from the viewpoint of a Black British West African woman.
Pelumi left her PhD in Cancer Research and Human Genetics early with conflicting
emotions, views the journey as a reaffirmation that she has the freedom to live life on her own terms and accomplish difficult tasks along the way. In doing so, she has shown the courage to change course in the pursuit of happiness and self-discovery. As she continues to share her travel story,
Pelumi hopes to inspire others to push through their comfort zones and embrace change in the face of fear and stagnation.