Alma Asinobi, a 26-year-old Nigerian travel content creator, is on the verge of making history as she attempts to break the Guinness World Record for the fastest journey across all seven continents in 60 hours. Having already traveled across six continents, Asinobi is now closer to the successful completion of her ambitious quest.
Her attempt is particularly remarkable as it is reportedly the youngest and only Black solo record attempt in this category. Through her journey, Asinobi aims to challenge and reshape the global narrative around passport inequality.
Asinobi has been vocal about the various hurdles she faced due to her Nigerian passport. Unlike travelers from countries with stronger passport privileges, she has dealt with complex visa procedures, costly travel arrangements, and unexpected flight cancellations that have threatened to derail her mission.
The journey officially began on March 20, following a delay from the initially scheduled start date of March 15. Asinobi’s journey commenced from King George Island, Antarctica, where she boarded a flight that triggered the countdown for her world record attempt.
Reflecting on one of the difficult moments of her journey, Asinobi stated, “I don’t even know if it’s because of the Heathrow fire thing, but the bigger issue is that the only other flight to Europe is to Madrid, and it’s full. The worst part is that the next flight to Europe is on Monday. Even if I don’t break the record, I just want to finish what I started. I want to prove that limitations are not denials.”
In a moment of frustration and humor, she added, “My village people free me naaaaaaaa! We have a whole lot of work to do for our passport and our spot in the world. It feels like as I am chasing continents, my village people have started chasing me.”
Determined to inspire others, Asinobi explained, “I just wanted to help someone out there with a low-mobility passport like mine dream beyond all the restrictions. I just wanted conversations to start so my fellow Nigerians can enjoy the beauty of access that developed countries enjoy. I didn’t want the dreams of my people to be restricted because of the color of their passport.”
Providing updates along her journey, Asinobi shared her experiences when departing Europe, writing, “Cairo here we comeeee. For a lirru context, I was supposed to head to a different African country but I wasn’t allowed to check in online because of my passport and check-in closed. But when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade and sell the t-shirt.”
Upon her arrival in Egypt, she expressed her emotions, stating, “Made it to my continent! So bummed I couldn’t go to my home country, Nigeria. I won’t lie, I’m missing the jollof, the puff, and all our sweetness… but don’t worry I’ll be home soon. Let’s bring this home.”
Pushing forward despite exhaustion, Asinobi continued her pursuit of the record, saying, “Tired but not defeated! Continent 5 done and dusted, let’s chase 6 shall we? Dubai, UAE! We are going to Asia – Continent 6! The visa processes for UAE are not very favourable for Nigerians right now, but… here we comeeee. I hope that through this movement, things like this can change.”
