Nigerian travel content creator Alma Asinobi may not be breaking the current Guinness World Record for the fastest journey across all seven continents after visa issues delayed her from reaching Sydney, Australia within the required time.
In an Instagram update on Sunday, Asinobi, who is still en route to Sydney, confirmed that her total journey time will be 71 hours and 35 minutes, falling short of the current record of 64 hours, set in February 2025 by American veteran Johnny Cruz Buckingham.
Reflecting on her attempt, she noted that if she had been competing against the previous record of 73 hours, set by Indian travellers in 2022, she would have beaten it.
However, due to multiple setbacks, she had already spent 63 hours, 54 minutes, and 33 seconds travelling when she made the announcement, making it impossible to surpass Buckingham’s 64-hour record.
Asinobi, who has faced multiple obstacles during her attempt due to her Nigerian passport, was also denied boarding on her flight to Perth, Australia, forcing her to rebook on a later flight to Sydney.
In her Instagram post on Sunday, she wrote, “From slide 9 you can already tell that it would take me 71 hours and 35 minutes to land in Sydney, Australia [Continent 7] and if I was running against the initial record based on the time I first announced it which was 73 hours 5 minutes held by Indian travellers Sujoy Kumar Mitra and Ali Irani in December 2022.
“Unfortunately, in February the record was reset to 64 hours by Johnny Cruz Buckingham, an American Veteran, and GWR took a few weeks to verify it and announce in March 2025.
“I know that I could have beat this record but for all the hurdles I had to face. I don’t know why Heathrow fire happened to compound it all… but the most important thing is that I’ve chosen to finish.”
“So close, but so far away. I may not have won this one, but we can sure win the next one together. My eyes may be swollen from all the tears I’ve cried and would probably still cry but I promise to find moments of laughter in between,” she wrote in her post.
Despite the disappointment, she emphasised that her attempt was about more than just the record.
“When I land, we will catch up on lives and we will pour our hearts out to each other, for now, let’s finish this! I really hope this attempt was worth something for a Nigerian out there,” she added.
Asinobi is now shifting her focus to her homecoming event on March 30, where she aims to break another record by gathering Nigerians to sign a national flag in solidarity.
“We still have one more record to break at the homecoming event on 30th of March where we will make history by signing our Nigerian flag made by #motthelabel
“I can’t wait to see you all there. I totally and physically cannot do that one without you. So please show up for me. Thank you for sparking conversations and being there with me through it all”
In her post, Asinobi also hoped that she was able to inspire people to do something that has scared them and not let the limitations outside their control get in the way just as she took on a challenge that was beyond her reality, control, and limitations.
PUNCH Online reports that throughout her journey, she has vocal about the visa and travel setbacks she encountered due to her Nigerian passport.
Unlike travellers from countries with better passport privileges, she noted that she has had to navigate complex visa requirements, expensive travel arrangements, and flight cancellations that threatened to derail her record attempt.
Her journey has also sparked widespread discussions about passport inequality and the barriers restricting global mobility for citizens of certain countries.
While she may not be taking home the Guinness World Record, supporters have still rallied behind her calling her a winner.
“You did win! A personal win, a win for Nigerians, a win for me as a fellow black girl navigating the world without passport privilege,” #chloeanabraidy commented.
