Ilerioluwa Babalobi, a thirty-one-year-old Nigerian traveler, has embarked on a remarkable journey to visit all 54 African countries without using air travel. His ambitious adventure aims to raise awareness for social interventions across the African continent while promoting cultural exchange and tourism.
Setting off from the Red Cross office in Lagos, Babalobi kicked off his tour, which will see him spend an average of five days in each African country visited, relying solely on public transportation. This daring endeavor marks him as the first African to undertake such a feat, demonstrating his determination to explore the continent in a unique and sustainable way.
The tour, slated to span nine months, will take Babalobi through diverse landscapes and cultures, offering him the opportunity to immerse himself in the rich heritage of each nation he visits. From Benin Republic to Togo and Ghana, where he has already ventured, Babalobi aims to shine a spotlight on the cultural wealth of Africa while supporting social initiatives aimed at assisting the continent’s underserved communities.
In a statement released on Wednesday, May 8, Babalobi outlined his mission to raise funds for the Nigerian Red Cross, an NGO dedicated to providing assistance to those in need across Africa. Additionally, he seeks to promote the Borderless African Campaign, an initiative championed by Africa’s emerging non-governmental organizations, which advocates for greater unity and collaboration among African nations.
During his journey, Babalobi plans to visit tourist sites, engage with local communities, and celebrate the unique cultural identities of each country he encounters. By spending several days in each destination, he aims to showcase the diverse landscapes, historical landmarks, and vibrant traditions that define Africa’s rich tapestry of cultures.
Upon completion of his tour, Babalobi hopes to achieve two Guinness World Records, becoming the first person to visit all 54 African countries without flying and doing so within a specified timeframe. Drawing on his previous travels across Nigeria, Ghana, and several other African nations, Babalobi is well-prepared for the challenges and adventures that lie ahead on his epic journey across the continent.
As Babalobi embarks on this extraordinary odyssey, he inspires others to embrace the spirit of exploration, cultural exchange, and social activism, demonstrating the transformative power of travel to foster understanding, compassion, and unity across borders.
