Her attempt, dubbed #AlmaChasingContinents and #7in60, aims to surpass the current record of 64 hours set by Johnny Cruz Buckingham on February 23, 2025, using only her Nigerian passport.
Navigating Visa Challenges
Throughout her journey, Asinobi has been vocal about the numerous visa and travel setbacks she has faced due to her Nigerian passport. Unlike travelers from countries with stronger passport privileges, she has had to navigate complex visa requirements, expensive travel arrangements, and flight cancellations that threatened to derail her record attempt.
Her journey officially began on March 20 from King George Island, Antarctica, after a delay from the initial scheduled date of March 15. From there, she traveled to Chile in South America, the Dominican Republic in North America, Spain in Europe, Egypt in Africa, Dubai in Asia, and is now en route to her final destination, Sydney, Australia.
A Journey of Resilience
Asinobi’s record-breaking attempt has drawn widespread attention, with supporters tracking her progress in real-time through a live location tracker. Beyond the record, her journey has sparked important conversations about passport inequality and the barriers faced by travelers from developing nations.
She has used her platform to highlight the challenges of traveling with a Nigerian passport, emphasizing how expensive and complicated it can be for citizens of countries with limited visa-free access.
“I don’t even know if it’s because of the Heathrow fire thing, but the bigger issue is that the only other flight to Europe is to Madrid, and it’s full. The worst part is that the next flight to Europe is on Monday. Even if I don’t break the record, I just want to finish what I started. I want to prove that limitations are not denials,” she shared during one of her challenging moments.
Facing Setbacks with Determination
Asinobi has faced numerous obstacles, including being denied boarding on her flight to Perth, Australia, due to visa issues. She was rebooked on a flight to Sydney, her final destination, and remains determined to complete her journey.
“I was tempted to cancel the flight altogether and just head home to where I’m loved, but I’m not one to start something and not finish. This journey has taught me way more than I set out to learn. I’m taking the sweet with the sour and hoping that one day—hopefully in my lifetime—we see change,” she wrote on X.com.
A Call for Change
Asinobi’s journey has not only been about breaking a record but also about advocating for greater access and opportunities for Nigerians and others with limited passport privileges.
“Dear green passport, all the hardships we’ve faced so far on this journey, I hope it counts for something. You won’t believe all the privileges, access, and options that were available but not to me, because of the colour of my passport. The things I missed, the routes I couldn’t take, the extra checks I was subjected to, the delays I experienced just because of my passport. Me and my passport have seen shege promax in the last 52+ hours,” she shared on Instagram.
Conclusion
As Alma Asinobi nears the completion of her journey, her resilience and determination serve as an inspiration to many. Her attempt to break the Guinness World Record has not only highlighted her personal strength but also shed light on the systemic challenges faced by travelers from developing nations.
