Nigerian Traveler Alma Asinobi Nears Record Despite Australian Visa Hurdle

Alma Asinobi, a 26-year-old Nigerian travel content creator and adventurer, has set out on an extraordinary mission to visit all seven continents in just 60 days. She has aptly named her journey #AlmaChasingContinents.

Beginning on March 15, 2025, in the icy wilderness of Antarctica, her ambitious quest aims to break the Guinness World Record for the fastest traversal of all seven continents while shedding light on the systemic travel barriers Nigerian passport holders face. However, her journey hit a major setback when she was denied boarding on a flight to Perth, Australia—her final destination—due to visa complications, forcing her to reroute through Sydney.

Travel with me to my starting point to break a world record for the fastest time to visit all 7 continents with my Nigerian passport.

It’s happening #AlmaChasingContinents #7in60 pic.twitter.com/VReYTBhTMU

— Alma Asinobi (@almaasinobi) March 14, 2025

Asinobi, a former architecture postgraduate turned full-time travel influencer, is no stranger to pushing boundaries. Having already explored over 30 countries across five continents, she has built a reputation as a bold storyteller and an advocate for travellers from underrepresented backgrounds.

Undertaking this record attempt with a Nigerian passport—ranked 88th on the 2025 Henley Passport Index—underscores her mission to challenge “passport privilege” and highlight the often arduous visa processes that restrict mobility for Nigerians and others with low-mobility passports.

After more than 56 hours of relentless travel across Antarctica, North America, South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia, the Australian visa hurdle was a frustrating twist. On March 23, Asinobi took to X (formerly Twitter) to express her disappointment, writing, “I was just denied boarding on my flight to Perth, Australia, for my final leg of the trip due to visa issues. I was put on standby for confirmation from Australia till boarding closed, and the gate agent had to rebook me on the next flight to Australia.” Despite the emotional toll—evident in her posts about crying, running, and enduring “humiliation and stress”—she remains determined to complete her historic journey and plant the Nigerian flag on her seventh continent.

Born and raised in Nigeria, Asinobi’s passion for travel ignited in 2020 after a road trip to a neighbouring country exposed her to new cultures. She later left her traditional career in architecture to pursue her dream, founding Kaijego, a travel agency that helps individuals with restrictive passports explore the world.

Her social media presence, with over 200,000 followers, has become a beacon of inspiration, offering practical travel advice and spotlighting the challenges of global mobility. Recognized as one of the Top 100 Influential Nigerians of 2024 by List NG and nominated for ‘Travel & Leisure Influencer of the Year’ at the 2022 Pulse Influencer Awards, Asinobi’s influence extends well beyond her adventures.

Her current mission is her boldest yet. Starting in Antarctica—where she marvelled at penguins—she carefully planned a route involving nine flights and seven short layovers, adhering to Guinness World Record rules that require her to step beyond airport boundaries on each continent and meticulously document her journey. Securing over 10 visas—two of which were rejected five times—was exhausting yet emblematic of the broader struggles faced by Nigerian travellers.

The Australian visa complication is not an isolated issue but a stark reminder of the obstacles Asinobi seeks to address. “I’m doing this with a Nigerian passport to shed more light on the issue of passport privilege, or in our case, the lack thereof,” she wrote earlier this month. Her experience has struck a chord, sparking discussions on social media and beyond about the need for improved travel freedoms for Nigerians.

Supporters have rallied behind her, with posts like Sylvia Aputazie’s on March 22 stating, “This is what @almaasinobi is fighting for with her #AlmaChasingContinents Guinness World Record Attempt. The visa restrictions on [the Nigerian] passport are heartbreaking.”

Despite the detour to Sydney, Asinobi’s resolve has only strengthened, fueled by an outpouring of support from followers, family, and friends. “I’ve cried, I’ve run, I’ve met new people along the way, and now I’m nearing the finish line,” she posted on X today at 07:48 WAT. Her resilience has transformed her journey into a powerful symbol of perseverance and national pride, with many seeing her as a beacon of hope for a future where passport restrictions no longer limit exploration.

Asinobi’s adventure coincides with Women’s Month, adding significance to her status as the youngest and only Black solo traveller attempting this feat. Her journey has garnered endorsements from brands like Risevest, with Global Chief Marketing Officer Eneyi Obi stating, “Her journey will inspire countless travelers from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue their own ambitions.”

Whether or not she secures the world record, Asinobi has already successfully amplified a crucial conversation about global mobility. Every border she crosses is a victory—not just for herself but for millions of Nigerian passport holders striving for a world that welcomes them as travellers, not obstacles.