A Chaotic One-Day Visit to Lagos
American YouTuber IShowSpeed (Darren Watkins Jr.) made a brief stop in Lagos, Nigeria on January 21, 2026 – his 21st birthday – as part of a 28-day “Speed Does Africa” tour. He livestreamed his one-day visit through Lagos and even hit a milestone of 50 million YouTube subscribers during the stream. Despite massive fan excitement, the visit did not live up to the hype. Viewers described the Lagos stream as chaotic: huge crowds swarmed Speed’s convoy, some chasing and begging for money, until his security had to halt the outing and rush him into a shop for safety. This uncontrolled scene left an awkward impression of Lagos.
As evening fell, Speed remarked, “It’s getting dark here in Nigeria. I don’t like this dark stuff,” reacting to how streets lacked lighting. That candid comment – prompted by power outages or poor streetlights – sparked debate about infrastructure. While there were touching moments (schoolchildren singing “Happy Birthday” to him on the street), many observers felt the trip was underwhelming and too short to show Nigeria in a good light.
Speed’s Intentions vs Public Expectations
Before arriving, IShowSpeed had made clear that his tour was about experiencing African culture and daily life, “not about collaborations with influencers or streamers,” as he told critics. He wanted to showcase real people and street culture rather than spend time on meet-ups with well-known creators. This stance came after some Nigerian influencers complained that Speed ignored them, but the streamer explained each day was tightly scheduled to focus on ordinary locals. However, Nigerian fans had high hopes for his visit.
When his Lagos stint turned out to be just one frantic day on the streets, many were disappointed. On social media, some lamented that the streamer “missed out on the full Nigerian experience,” seeing only a crowded market and traffic instead of the country’s rich heritage. The consensus was that the visit fell flat and failed to showcase the best of Nigeria.
Lack of Coordination by Tourism Officials
A major reason for this outcome was the lack of official coordination. Unlike some other countries on Speed’s tour, Nigeria’s authorities and tourism agencies did not actively engage or plan for his arrival. Everything Speed did in Lagos – from visiting Balogun Market to sampling jollof rice at Freedom Park – was arranged on the fly by his team. There were no formal welcomes or curated cultural activities from the Lagos State government or tourism board.
In stark contrast, Kenya’s government reached out to Speed’s team in advance and synchronized his itinerary with crowd-pleasing activities. Thanks to that planning, Speed’s Kenya stream became one of his biggest, attracting over 8.5 million live viewers and challenging stereotypes about Africa. Nigeria’s lack of preparation meant Lagos offered little beyond chaotic crowds. This was a huge missed marketing opportunity – with millions of young viewers tuned in, a well-structured Lagos experience could have promoted Nigeria’s culture, hospitality, and attractions.
Turning a Visit into a Tourism Win
IShowSpeed’s whirlwind stop shows why Nigeria – especially a vibrant city like Lagos – must leverage global personalities for positive exposure. Tourism in Nigeria has untapped potential, and visits by famous content creators are free global advertising if handled right. With better planning, Lagos could have arranged safe, memorable experiences – showcasing Nigerian music, art, or historic sites – to turn his stream into a highlight reel for Lagos tourism. Even during his unguided day, Speed did glimpse a cultural side when he was welcomed at Nike Art Gallery and dressed in traditional Yoruba attire. Had local authorities expanded such moments, the narrative might have been about Nigeria’s rich culture and hospitality instead of chaos.
Going forward, Nigeria should invest in structuring its tourism approach. When celebrities visit Africa and include Nigeria on their itinerary, officials should treat it as a chance to shine. That means planning agendas that put the country’s best face forward, ensuring basic infrastructure (like lighting and crowd control), and collaborating with the visitor’s team to balance spontaneity with showcase events. IShowSpeed’s Lagos stop may have been a disappointment, but it offers a clear lesson. With the right engagement, the next global streamer or celebrity who comes to town can become a living advertisement for Nigeria – inspiring more global interest in Nigeria travel – instead of a missed opportunity.
