In 2019, Alma Asinobi, a Nigerian postgraduate architecture student, set an ambitious goal for herself: to visit 16 countries every year after obtaining her first passport. However, her dreams were temporarily halted by the global lockdown caused by Covid-19. Despite these setbacks, Asinobi has since visited more than 30 countries and founded her own travel agency, Kaijego. On March 15th, the 26-year-old will attempt to break the Guinness world record for the shortest time traversing all seven continents. She describes this challenge as the most daunting task she has ever undertaken. If successful, Asinobi will join a growing list of record holders in west Africa, where a new generation is emerging as passionate record-breakers. According to Guinness World Records (GWR), there have been over 7,000 applications from the region’s 16 countries since 2023. Asinobi’s journey, which requires obtaining 10 visas, aims to highlight the difficulties faced by travelers with “low-mobility” passports, as Nigeria ranks 88th in travel freedoms. Her previous experiences include being detained in Egypt and facing flight-related inconveniences, which have only strengthened her resolve to succeed. The GWR rules mandate that she physically visit all continents, document her journey at notable landmarks, and leave Antarctica last to end her trip in Australia. Asinobi acknowledges the unpredictability of her journey and is preparing to set another record by collecting signatures on a Nigerian flag upon her return. Her determination has garnered support from fellow Nigerians, such as a doctor who completed a similar journey over nine years.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/08/around-world-60-hours-nigerian-aims-travel-record-low-mobility-passport