I grew up in Mushin, Lagos, Nigeria—one of the poorest parts of the city at the time. There were no green spaces, and the hustle and bustle of everyday life left little time to connect with nature. However, I have fond memories of visiting my father’s village, about an hour and a half outside of Lagos, where we would visit my grandmother. Those trips were the highlight of my childhood. Surrounded by nature, I felt a sense of freedom I could never experience in Lagos. I would spend all day outdoors, enjoying forest walks, playing in rivers, climbing trees, and chasing after local wildlife. I was always happiest in my father’s village, though at the time, I thought it was simply because I was on holiday. It wasn’t until I arrived in Scotland almost two decades later that I realized it was my connection to nature—those green and blue spaces—that truly made me happy.
When I arrived in Scotland over a decade ago, I was fortunate to learn about the Land Reform Act, which grants everyone the privilege of responsible access to the outdoors, regardless of race, gender identity, religion, or background. This right to access nature rekindled my connection with the great outdoors, and for over a decade, I have had the opportunity to tackle some of the most challenging Munros in Scotland. I’ve embraced adventures such as mountaineering, running, cold water swimming, cycling, and paddleboarding, to name just a few. Beyond Scotland, I’ve been lucky enough to climb in Chamonix, enjoy self-guided winter climbs in Switzerland, the Dolomites in Italy, and swim in some of Europe’s most serene lakes.
My time outdoors has profoundly impacted my life, benefiting both my physical and mental well-being while making me more environmentally conscious. Along the way, I’ve had the privilege of inspiring many people through my social media platforms and the community I launched in 2022—Black Scottish Adventurers, which now has over 3,000 members and has earned multiple recognition.
Over the years, the creativity and inspiration I’ve shared through social media have led to exciting opportunities to work with various outdoor organisations and brands in different capacities, from content creation and modeling to speaking engagements. For all of these opportunities, I’m deeply grateful.
To think that a boy from Lagos, Nigeria could grow to embrace and enjoy the great outdoors in all seasons, while also inspiring others, is a testament to what’s possible. My hope is that through education, awareness, and better access, more people can start their own connection with nature.
I grew up in Mushin, Lagos, Nigeria—one of the poorest parts of the city at the time. There were no green spaces, and the hustle and bustle of everyday life left little time to connect with nature. However, I have fond memories of visiting my father’s village, about an hour and a half outside of Lagos, where we would visit my grandmother. Those trips were the highlight of my childhood. Surrounded by nature, I felt a sense of freedom I could never experience in Lagos. I would spend all day outdoors, enjoying forest walks, playing in rivers, climbing trees, and chasing after local wildlife. I was always happiest in my father’s village, though at the time, I thought it was simply because I was on holiday. It wasn’t until I arrived in Scotland almost two decades later that I realized it was my connection to nature—those green and blue spaces—that truly made me happy.
When I arrived in Scotland over a decade ago, I was fortunate to learn about the Land Reform Act, which grants everyone the privilege of responsible access to the outdoors, regardless of race, gender identity, religion, or background. This right to access nature rekindled my connection with the great outdoors, and for over a decade, I have had the opportunity to tackle some of the most challenging Munros in Scotland. I’ve embraced adventures such as mountaineering, running, cold water swimming, cycling, and paddleboarding, to name just a few. Beyond Scotland, I’ve been lucky enough to climb in Chamonix, enjoy self-guided winter climbs in Switzerland, the Dolomites in Italy, and swim in some of Europe’s most serene lakes.
My time outdoors has profoundly impacted my life, benefiting both my physical and mental well-being while making me more environmentally conscious. Along the way, I’ve had the privilege of inspiring many people through my social media platforms and the community I launched in 2022—Black Scottish Adventurers, which now has over 3,000 members and has earned multiple recognition.
Over the years, the creativity and inspiration I’ve shared through social media have led to exciting opportunities to work with various outdoor organisations and brands in different capacities, from content creation and modeling to speaking engagements. For all of these opportunities, I’m deeply grateful.
To think that a boy from Lagos, Nigeria could grow to embrace and enjoy the great outdoors in all seasons, while also inspiring others, is a testament to what’s possible. My hope is that through education, awareness, and better access, more people can start their own connection with nature.
