I have been fascinated by the story of Ajala the Traveller since yesterday.

He travelled the world in the 1960s, on a scooter! Marrying about 5 women during his journeys too!

"With his tremendous charisma and eccentric nature, he was the golden boy loved by the ladies, many of whom he met on his journeys. In his trip around the world, he married 5 women; an Australian lady, an American, a British model, a Nigerian woman in London and also another Nigerian in Nigeria."

So, who is Ajala?


"On April 27, 1957, in London, a 26 years old student of psychology, Mashood Olabisi Ajala embarked on a trip across 40 countries in Europe, Asia and Africa on his Vespa scooter wearing his full conspicuous agbada regalia with a cap to match. As a pre-medical student, Olabisi has previously undertaken a similar jaunt four years ago in the USA pedalling from Chicago to Los Angeles on a bicycle covering 3,800 miles in 35 days over ten cities. His journey which he nicknamed “This Safari” will cover 30,000 miles across 40 countries in nine months and return to London afterwards."


Moshood Adisa Olabisi Ajala, also known as Ọlábísí Àjàlá, was a Nigerian journalist, travel writer, actor, and later Lagos socialite. He is famous for being a globe-trotter, with escapades in Israel, Egypt, Palestine, India, the United States, and elsewhere.

His only published book, which covered his travel adventures, was titled An African Abroad published in 1963. His name, in Nigeria today, is synonymous with 'travel'. His name is used as a slang today in Nigeria to tease people who cannot seem to stay in one place. They are called ‘Ajala the traveller’.

He died in 1999.

Trivia: He was born in Accra, Ghana, before the family moved to Nigeria whilst he was still an infant.