Pelumi Nubi is a Nigerian-British solo traveller and content creator who recently achieved the remarkable feat of being the first black woman to journey solo from London to Lagos, predominantly by road and sea. Her adventurous spirit and dedication to travel have garnered attention not only from her Instagram community of fellow explorers but also from top travel blogs and renowned brands.
With an impressive list of 80 countries checked off her bucket list, she continues to inspire and educate through her travel experiences.
During her 68-day journey, Nubi traversed 17 countries, starting from the United Kingdom and passing through terrains like the West Sahara Desert. Despite facing challenges along the way and even encountering an accident, her determination remained unshaken. She expressed gratitude to God and Nigerians for their support during her live reportage of the trip. Her arrival in Lagos, welcomed warmly by government officials, family, friends, and well-wishers, marked a significant milestone in her travel narrative. Nubi’s story not only showcases her adventurous spirit but also serves as a testament to the power of perseverance and breaking barriers in the pursuit of one’s dreams.
During our conversation with her, we had the privilege of exploring her identity and the profound impact of travel on her life. We delved into the inspirations behind her remarkable journey, her advice for women preparing for their first solo trip, her preference for Senegalese jollof (pls come for her), and touched on various other topics. Keep reading to learn 21 facts you may not have known until now.
Her Full Name is Oluwapelumi Ife Nubi
Pelumi Nubi thanks her parents for her name. As a big believer in the importance of names, she’s grateful to be called God is with me (Oluwapelumi), especially considering the enormity of the journey she embarked on and all the craziness that occurred during this adventure. She could truly affirm that presence and peace.
Her middle name, Ife, means love, and she tries to spread that(love) everywhere she goes. She’s been told she’s a very friendly person, and she believes that that’s a reflection of her name.
Her name, ‘God is with me’ and ‘love’ perfectly reflects her faith, resilience, and affectionate nature.
She Was in Her Early Twenties When She Embarked on Her First Solo Trip
Pelumi believes she was 21 when she embarked on her first solo trip. She went somewhere up north in Europe, a Scandinavian country called Sweden. It was a cheap flight. She had done Sky Scanner Everywhere, and Sweden came up. She got a nice and unique accommodation, so she booked her flight and went there for the weekend.
That first trip was interesting. She got to discover some things about herself. She learned that when she goes to any country, she likes to visit the museum, “but I only like it if there’s a specific exhibition, not like a museum that is there all the time.” Temporary museums are more like galleries in that they aren’t always there but are created to showcase a specific thing at a specific time.
She also bumped into people she knew on the second day of her trip. She said this affirms that even though you’re travelling solo, you’re still meeting people. You’re not travelling to an island. You’re not travelling to an isolated place. Solo travel doesn’t mean you’re actually by yourself. You can also meet people you’ve known before who travel solo. That meeting made her want to do more things like that, seek new adventures, and discover herself a little bit more.
She Speaks Two Languages
Pelumi speaks English and Yoruba. Though she’s more fluent in English for obvious reasons (she was raised and lives in London), she likes to be in situations where she can speak Yoruba to friends and family who understand her.
Speaking Yoruba not only connects Nubi to her cultural roots but also allows her to share traditions and stories with her loved ones in a meaningful way.
Pelumi’s Tips for Navigating Language Barriers while Travelling
Learn the basic words of the language spoken in whatever country you visit. For Nubi’s trip from London to Lagos, most of the countries she planned to pass through spoke mostly English and French. She decided to take French lessons, hoping to be more fluent than she was at the time before embarking on that journey.
“You have to be intentional about it, which, unfortunately, means scheduling it. You have to at least try to speak your host country’s language. This can make them want to put an effort into speaking English back to you, or they will try their best not to be offended if you don’t speak the language”, Pelumi shares.
Travelling Gave Her the Room to Figure out Who She Really Is
Pelumi acknowledges that travelling has been instrumental in her personal growth. She believes that without it, she wouldn’t have gained such deep insights into herself—her passions, aspirations, and the woman she wants to be. Travelling has also led her to meaningful connections with international friends, enriching her life with diverse perspectives and experiences.
Additionally, she’s a storyteller. Travelling has given her a wealth of stories and life experiences to draw from. It has expanded her horizons, allowing her to tap into a rich tapestry of experiences that she can share with others. She truly believes that that wouldn’t be a part of who she is if she didn’t travel.
She Described Her Trip From London to Lagos in Two Words
Exhilarating and damn right audacious!
She Decided to Embark on the London to Lagos Trip because She Loves Road Trips and Was Inspired by Kunle Adeyanju
Pelumi has always loved road trips. She embarked on a couple back in early 2022. They were mostly African countries, but specifically in Namibia. She googled it, and someone mentioned that the best way to explore is by car. So she rented a 4×4 Jimny Suzuki and loved the experience. She rented some camp gear and went wild camping. Nubi described the experience as simply incredible. She loved the joy of driving on such a road, seeing something interesting, and having the freedom to park, which you don’t get when flying or on a train going to a particular destination.
Simultaneously, like many others, Nubi became aware of Mr Kunle, who rode a bike from London to Lagos, and it got her curious. Has any woman done this before? This thought process took her down this rabbit hole of research. Additionally, she took into consideration her joy for travelling as a whole. She was also trying to connect this to a place she considers home. (Nubi was born in Lagos, Nigeria and grew up in London). And she decided she could drive this! “You know those ideas you just have that’s spontaneous but exciting all at the same time? I couldn’t stop thinking about it”. She started talking to friends about it and she decided that she just wanted to show the world that black women like herself can and do go on big adventures. We can step out of our comfort zones and chase the things we want to, not giving much mind to what society expects from us!
Driven by her love for road trips and a desire to challenge stereotypes, Pelumi embarked on this epic journey to inspire others and showcase the strength of black women in adventure.
The Most Memorable Part of Nubi’s Trip Was Crossing into Morocco
She remembers breaking down in tears when she set foot in Morocco. In hindsight, reflecting on why she had such big emotions, she believes it was because she overthought the experience. She expected it to be more challenging than it turned out to be, which made her question things: What else is she overthinking in her life? What other opportunities is she letting pass her by because she’s too concerned about the outcome? These thoughts were something she held onto.
“Most times, we’ve just got to do the thing, and everything will work out in the end.”
She Found Experiencing Her Journey While Simultaneously Capturing for Social Media a Bit of a Challenge
This trip took a year to plan, so Pelumi tried to foresee as much as possible. She knew social media was a tool she wanted to leverage for obvious reasons. Still, sometimes, it was challenging because she had to choose between experiencing a certain travel memory or engaging online. Fortunately, she hired a team before leaving, and they were able to help with that process.
She Would Love to Collaborate With Blue Graphics
Though she’s transitioned in life now, Nubi still considers Blue Graphics a traveller, and she would love to collaborate with her because Blue Graphics is a Nigerian-American who showcases the black and female travel experience in a way she adores.
The Most Surprising Thing She’s Learned About Herself is the Strength She Holds
“You know what they say, you don’t know how much you can crawl up from until you hit rock bottom. I learned that the ethical mindset is just a thought, it’s just a word. I feel we can do audacious things, we can do big, grand things. This journey opened my mind to what is possible and how much strength I hold. I was pleasantly surprised about that.
If You’re Planning Your First Solo Trip, Pelumi Wants You to Make Up Your Mind
She emphasizes that the first step is to make a firm decision. This is crucial because while we often hear others’ opinions, we must determine for ourselves that travelling is significant.
Next, she advises starting small and focusing on yourself. Many believe travel must be as grand as her journey, but she doesn’t see her accomplishment as monumental. It took years of travel for her to attempt something as audacious as this trip, so it’s important to begin gradually.
She emphasizes starting with modest solo activities, as solo travel can be intimidating for those unaccustomed to it. Engaging in solo outings like shopping or going to the cinema in your city helps build confidence and prepares you for foreign travel.
She suggests starting with neighbouring countries, connecting with other solo travellers, and asking questions to gain clarity. This approach mirrors her own journey and provides a solid foundation for solo exploration.
Nothing Was Going to Stop Her From Completing Her Quest
The journey from London to Lagos was a project Pelumi had been dedicated to for a while. Initially, it was a personal challenge, a testament to her commitment to starting and completing what she set out to do. She vividly recalls telling a friend that even if she had to crawl to the border due to exhaustion or a breakdown, she would make it to the end of the trip, no matter the obstacles.
Her unwavering determination became her constant companion throughout the journey, although its origin remains a mystery to her. She simply knew that she had to see it through to the end. As her journey gained public attention, she felt a sense of camaraderie, as if people were journeying alongside her.
Nubi cherished the evolution of her story and the connections it forged with people of all ages, from young children to seniors. Welcomed warmly at the border, she was moved by women who expressed admiration and a desire to emulate her adventurous spirit. This external encouragement fueled her sheer determination even more, reinforcing the belief that when faced with something larger than oneself, giving it your all is the only way forward.
“When something is bigger than you, you just have to put your all in, and go for it”
Through perseverance and sheer determination, she conquered physical obstacles and discovered newfound strength and resilience, proving to herself and others the limitless possibilities of determination.
She Paraglided on the Same Day She Saw the Eiffel Tower
When Pelumi arrived in France and toured the Eiffel Tower, she found it nice but craved something more exciting and spontaneous. Without hesitation, she booked a ticket to paraglide on the same day.
A quick Google search led her to a renowned bridge where people often paraglided off, and she decided to take the leap. With the instructor’s assurance of favourable wind conditions, they did it! The experience had her feeling exhilarated. She said it felt like she was flying. Her good rapport with the instructor also contributed to the experience, allowing them to stay airborne for a considerable time.
The joy and thrill of that spontaneous act, without overthinking, left a lasting impression on her. Despite being naturally spontaneous, she considers that day’s adventure an extra level of spontaneity, making it a memorable and enjoyable experience.
Her impromptu paragliding experience not only added excitement to her journey but also symbolised her fearless approach to seizing unforgettable moments, reminding us of the joy in embracing spontaneity.
She Believes Senegalese Jollof Trumps Nigerian Jollof
Pelumi really enjoys the Senegalese Jollof. “You know, they say I’ve been brainwashed, but I don’t think the Nigerians have the best Jollof” (side eye).
She particularly loves the way they make it with fish and tender lamb that falls off the bone. Apparently, it’s “very, very nice”.
Fried Moi Moi is the Most Unique Dish She’s Ever Tried
In Abidjan, Ivory Cost, Pelumi tried fried moin moin for the first time.
She found this delicacy interesting because the moin moin she’s accustomed to is steamed. She experienced this version by watching a woman steam it and then deep fry it. ” It’s just so, so, so interesting. You eat it with Agege bread. It’s just amazing. I think everyone should try this at least once in their life.”
Some Fun Facts About a Few Countries She’s Visited
- She described the people of Mauritania as kind and warm. This is the country where she’s experienced the warmest reception yet.
- The Gambia was a surprising country for her to visit because it was so small. Everyone knew each other, and it was easy to connect with them. She also loved their food and is looking to spend more time there.
- She considers St. Louis in Senegal a hidden gem. Nubi describes it as peaceful and stunning, with plenty of fresh air. She says it’s perfect.
The (not so) Shocking Reactions to Pelumi’s Solo Journey.
Despite being pleasantly surprised to witness her journey, many were taken aback by the fact that Pelumi Nubi, a woman, embarked on her adventure alone. The cultural shock was evident in their reactions, questioning her decision to travel solo and expressing disbelief at her independence. People even asked her, “Where is your husband?” and “Who are you driving with?” The shock stemmed from societal expectations, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by women in breaking traditional gender roles. Nubi’s experience reflects a broader conversation about gender norms and the evolving perceptions of female autonomy in travel and exploration.
Her Go-To Travel Song is Not Afraid by Eminem
It’s such a hype song that whenever she hears it, she thinks, ‘Okay, I’m ready for an adventure.’
These are the Countries at the Top of Her Bucket List
Japan and Antarctica.
Japan has been on her bucket list for a long time. There’s something about the Japanese culture that she has always adored so much, she was called Black Kimsugi. Pelumi would love to visit a few Asian countries simultaneously, which is why she hasn’t visited Japan yet.
The 28-year-old would also love to visit Antarctica before she turns 30, as visiting all 7 continents is her goal.
This is How She Unwinds After a Long Day Exploring
- Tick-tock with friends.
- Catching up on shows.
- Checking in with her folks back home.
- Scrolling through social media.
- Just anything that doesn’t require brainpower.
