Meet Pelumi Nubi, first black female to drive from London’s streets to Lagos’ heart

In a feat that matches the pioneering spirit of Funmilayo Ransome Kuti, the first Nigerian woman to drive a car, Pelumi Nubi, a 29-year-old British-Nigerian content creator, has completed an epic 68-day journey from London to Lagos.

Nubi defied expectations, not just by driving the over 10,000 kilometers (6,214 miles) in her customised Peugeot 107, but by becoming a beacon of inspiration for Black female explorers everywhere.

A legacy rekindled

Nubi’s feat pays homage to fellow Nigerian Kunle Adeyanju, who in 2022 became the first person to travel the same route on a motorcycle. However, Nubi noticed a gap in representation.

“I couldn’t find any Black women who had attempted the journey by car,” she said. This personal connection to both Nigeria, her birthplace, and the UK, where she grew up, fueled her desire to bridge that gap and “showcase that travel can be easy, safe and doable,” particularly for black female solo travelers.

The road less travelled

Nubi’s well planned adventure wasn’t without its challenges. The Sahara Desert, feared to be a desolate wasteland, surprised her with its vibrant towns. However, a harrowing accident involving a parked truck in Ivory Coast left her car, nicknamed “Lumi,” severely damaged.

Despite the option to switch vehicles, Nubi’s bond with Lumi prevailed. “There was just this bond,” she says. “She’s seen me on the hardest days.” Repairs and border delays, including a grueling 48-hour wait in Liberia, extended the journey, but her spirit remained unbroken.

Inspiring a continent

Nubi documented her odyssey on social media, garnering a global audience. Teachers shared her story with students, parents sent messages of support, and a vibrant online community emerged, keeping her motivated during lonely stretches.

This outpouring solidified Nubi’s mission: to “change the narrative” about West Africa. “In terms of holiday destination, this is possible,” she said. “There’s viability. It’s not just hot and lines, it’s really just changing that narrative globally as well.”

A hero’s welcome and a bright future

Nubi’s arrival in Lagos was met with a hero’s welcome. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State recognised her achievement, appointing her a state tourism ambassador and showering her with rewards, including a brand new car and a home.

While these accolades are impressive, Nubi remains grounded. “The bigger picture was very much about inspiring people,” she said. “The accolades are nice but it doesn’t scratch the surface of what I was trying to achieve.”

Nubi’s next adventure might be a road trip from Lagos to South Africa, but Lumi will be enjoying retirement in Nigeria. She envisions Lumi displayed in a “little museum,” a testament to a courageous journey and a symbol of limitless possibilities.

Nubi’s story, like that of Hilda Baci, former holder of the Guinness World Record for marathon cooking, is a powerful reminder that with determination and a thirst for exploration, even the most audacious dreams can be realised.

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