Beyond the Lagos Loop: Why Nigeria’s Travel Scene Needs a New Script

We’ve all seen the viral “Lagos Vlogs.” The high-speed chases through traffic, the steaming bowls of Amala, the strobe lights of a Victoria Island club, and the inevitable celebrity cameo. It looks fun. It looks chaotic. It looks… exactly like the last five vlogs we watched.

When IShowSpeed touched down in Lagos recently, it sparked a conversation that’s been brewing in the creative community for a long time. The question isn’t whether Nigeria is “cool” enough—we know we are the blueprint. The question is: Why does our tourism feel like a checklist of activities instead of a narrative? Why do these moments often feel like they “don’t land” the way they should?

The Art of the “Unexplained”

As cultural commentator Bolayinka Obebe recently highlighted in a post on her Instagram page, we have a habit of “stacking activities” instead of telling stories. We treat our landmarks like backdrops for a photo op rather than living chapters of history.

Think about it. We drive past the Eyo statues daily—but do we know the gravity of the deity they represent? We host festivals at Freedom Park, but do we stop to feel the weight of the colonial prison walls that once stood there? We treat TBS (Tafawa Balewa Square) as an “open space” for hosting trade fairs and musical concerts like the Experience, but do we understand its significance as the monumental site of our nation’s Independence? When we don’t explain the “why,” our most sacred spaces are reduced to just “scenery.”

Breaking the “Lagos Loop”

For too long, the Nigerian travel experience has been stuck in a loop:

• The Food: Jollof and Amala (without the history of the soil).
• The Scene: Nightlife and “Who’s Who” (without the soul of the people).
• The Route: From the airport to the island, and back again.

This “simplification” is meant to be impressive, but it’s actually a disservice. We aren’t just a party destination; we are a deep, complex, and ancient culture that deserves more than a “vibe.”

Wanted: Cultural Directors

Nigeria doesn’t need more “exposure.” We’re already the center of the map. What we need are Cultural Directors. We need hosts, guides, and creators who can translate the meaning behind the movement.

Travel is supposed to change you. But you can’t be changed by something you don’t understand. It’s time to move past the “where” and start diving into the “why.”

Next time you’re showing someone your city, don’t just take them to a spot. Give them a story. Because culture only truly lives when it’s interpreted.

_{This piece is inspired by a recent Instagram post by Bolayinka Obebe.}