Nigeria 🇳🇬 Hits Different – Benin City, Owerri & Roads That'll Test You

After experiencing the intensity of Lagos, I continued deeper into Nigeria, heading east through Benin City and eventually Owerri. Leaving Lagos behind did not mean leaving the chaos behind—the roads remained busy, unpredictable and full of the constant movement that defines travelling through Nigeria.

The ride through southern Nigeria was a completely different experience compared to the countries I had crossed earlier. The endless desert roads of Mauritania and the quieter countryside routes of West Africa felt like another world. Here, every kilometre brought more traffic, more people and more activity. Cars, trucks, motorcycles, minibuses and pedestrians all shared the same roads, creating a constant challenge for a solo rider.

The journey toward Benin City was intense but fascinating. The landscape became greener and more tropical, with towns and villages appearing almost continuously along the route. Nigeria’s population density was impossible to ignore—there was rarely a moment when the road felt empty. Markets, roadside businesses and communities stretched along the highways, showing the scale and energy of everyday life in the country.

After reaching Benin City, I stopped for the night to rest and prepare for the next stage. The following day, I continued east toward Owerri, riding further into southeastern Nigeria. The roads remained demanding, with heavy traffic, unpredictable driving and constant activity, but the journey continued to reveal a side of Nigeria that is impossible to experience from behind a screen.

Arriving in Owerri, I stopped for another night before continuing further southeast toward Calabar in the next stage of the journey. It was another necessary pause to recover, organise myself and prepare for what was ahead.

Nigeria was proving to be one of the most intense countries of the expedition. It was not always easy or comfortable, but every day brought something new—a different landscape, different people and another glimpse into one of Africa’s most complex and fascinating countries.

I’ll be documenting this adventure along the way — the good, the bad, and everything in between. If you want to ride with me through Africa’s deserts, mountains, chaos, and calm, you can follow the journey on Instagram, and TikTok. I’ll be sharing stories from the road, raw moments, and the reality behind chasing freedom on two wheels.

So, come along for the ride — the long way through Africa.

Peace!