Alma Asinobi, a 26-year-old Nigerian travel content creator, is making history with her audacious attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the fastest journey across all seven continents in just 60 hours. With six continents already behind her, Asinobi is closer than ever to achieving this groundbreaking feat, which has captivated audiences worldwide.
Known for being the youngest and only Black solo competitor in this category, Asinobi’s mission, under the hashtags #AlmaChasingContinents and #7in60, is not only about breaking a world record but also about shedding light on the challenges travelers from developing nations face.
Asinobi is attempting to break the current world record of 73 hours, set by Sujoy Kumar Mitra and Dr. Ali Irani, all while using only her Nigerian passport. This journey, however, has been anything but easy. The Nigerian passport has often placed significant barriers in her path, including complex visa requirements, expensive travel arrangements, and flight cancellations.
Despite these hurdles, Alma’s resolve remains unshaken. She took to social media to share her experiences, saying, “I just want to finish what I started, even if I don’t break the record. I want to prove that limitations are not denials.”
Her journey, which officially began on March 20 after a delayed start, took her first to King George Island in Antarctica, marking the start of the 60-hour countdown. From there, Asinobi’s travels have spanned across continents: from South America in Chile to North America in the Dominican Republic, then on to Europe in Spain, Africa in Egypt, and Asia in Dubai, UAE. Asinobi is now on her final leg in Australia, which will complete her quest.
Along the way, Alma has faced numerous visa setbacks, including a memorable experience when she was denied boarding on her flight to Perth due to visa issues. Undeterred, she was rebooked on a flight to Sydney, a city she has long dreamed of visiting. Despite the challenges, Asinobi’s positive spirit shines through. “I’m taking the sweet with the sour,” she posted, “This journey has taught me so much more than I could have ever imagined. I’m not just chasing continents; I’m chasing change.”
Asinobi’s story is making waves on social media, trending on platforms like X.com (formerly Twitter), where supporters and fellow travelers track her progress in real-time. Her journey has sparked much-needed conversations about passport inequality and the barriers that citizens of countries with limited visa-free access face.
Reflecting on the hardships, Asinobi poignantly shared, “The worst part is the extra checks I was subjected to, the routes I couldn’t take, and the things I missed, all because of the color of my passport. But in the end, I hope these struggles count for something.”
Her record-breaking attempt is not just a race against time it is a call to action to address passport inequalities that continue to restrict mobility for millions of people. As Asinobi nears the finish line in Sydney, she is determined to complete her mission and bring the Nigerian flag home.
As Asinobi’s historic journey continues, it is clear that she is more than just a traveler she is a trailblazer, challenging the status quo and inspiring countless others to dream beyond the limits imposed by borders. Her story is one of resilience, determination, and hope, and it serves as a reminder that despite the barriers we face, there is always a way to make our voices heard and our dreams come true.
