The Country Everyone Warned Me About | 🇳🇬 Nigeria by Motorcycle
After crossing into Nigeria, I entered one of the most intense chapters of my African journey. This entire episode brings together my complete ride through the country—from the border with Benin, through some of Nigeria’s biggest cities, all the way to the border with Cameroon. It was a country that challenged me in almost every possible way, but also one that showed me a side of Africa unlike anywhere else.
Entering Nigeria felt like turning the volume up on everything. After the calmer atmosphere of Benin, the roads became immediately busier, the traffic heavier and the pace of life much faster. Nigeria is enormous, densely populated and constantly moving. On a fully loaded 2023 Honda Africa Twin DCT, every kilometre required concentration, because traffic patterns were unpredictable and there was very little room for mistakes.
The first major challenge was reaching Lagos, one of Africa’s largest and most chaotic cities. The traffic was overwhelming, with cars, motorcycles, minibuses and pedestrians all fighting for space. Drivers and riders often showed little patience, making every ride through the city a test of awareness and endurance. Lagos was exhausting, but it was also fascinating—a place full of energy, ambition and movement.
Leaving Lagos behind, I continued east toward Benin City. The chaos did not disappear, but the landscape began changing. The roads passed through greener areas, countless villages and busy roadside communities. Nigeria’s population density was impossible to ignore. Unlike the empty desert roads of Mauritania or the remote stretches of Guinea, here there was always something happening around me.
After spending a night in Benin City, I continued toward Owerri, moving deeper into southeastern Nigeria. The journey remained intense, with heavy traffic, unpredictable road users and long hours in the saddle. But this was also where I started seeing more of Nigeria beyond the chaos—local life, markets, small towns and the incredible scale of the country.
From Owerri, I continued further southeast toward Calabar, where I stopped for the night to organise the final details before entering Cameroon. Calabar became an important pause point, as I needed to get my Cameroon visa stamp before attempting the next border crossing.
The ride toward Calabar and then the border town of Ikom showed another side of Nigeria. The urban chaos slowly gave way to greener landscapes and more rural surroundings. The closer I got to Cameroon, the more the atmosphere changed. The country that had initially felt overwhelming gradually revealed more layers—beautiful scenery, welcoming people and a huge variety of environments.
Eventually, I reached the border crossing at Ekok and prepared to leave Nigeria behind. Looking back, Nigeria was one of the most demanding countries of the journey. It tested my patience, my concentration and my ability to adapt.
But difficult does not mean bad. Nigeria was intense, chaotic and sometimes exhausting, yet it was also unforgettable. It showed me the scale of Africa in a way few other countries could. Millions of people moving, enormous cities, endless roads and a constant sense that something was happening around every corner.
Crossing Nigeria was not just another country ticked off the map—it was an experience that pushed me outside my comfort zone and prepared me for the even more challenging roads ahead in Central Africa.
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!
