Meet Ademilola Odujinrin, Nigerian-British pilot who flew solo to over 15 countries
Nigerian-British aviator Ademilola Odujinrin etched his name in aviation history after becoming the first African to fly solo around the world, completing a daring nine-month journey across five continents in
Nigerian-British aviator Ademilola Odujinrin etched his name in aviation history after becoming the first African to fly solo around the world, completing a daring nine-month journey across five continents in a single-engine aircraft.
Odujinrin, popularly known as Lola, successfully concluded the “One Man, One Plane” expedition on March 29, 2017, landing at Washington Dulles International Airport—the same location where the historic trip began months earlier.
Reflecting on the feat, the pilot said: “Fewer than 115 people have completed a solo circumnavigation of the globe by air, and it’s been my dream since my youth to join them.
Air Djibouti CEO Mario Fulgoni and Cardiff Aviation Chairman Bruce Dickinson share my love for flying and have been hugely supportive in helping me realise a lifetime ambition. I hope to set a world first and inspire a generation of people in Africa and beyond.”
Here are facts about Ademilola Odujinrin you should know.
Ademilola Odujinrin was born in South London before relocating to Nigeria at a young age.
He is fondly known as “Lola” by friends and colleagues in the aviation industry.
At just 20 years old, he earned his Private Pilot License (PPL) in an impressive 19 days.
He received professional flight training in both the United Kingdom and the United States.
Odujinrin flew commercially for Arik Air for five years.
He later worked with Air Djibouti, expanding his international aviation experience.
Since obtaining his commercial license in 2011, he has logged over 4,000 flying hours.
He is a certified Boeing 737 pilot, one of the most widely used commercial aircraft globally.
His historic solo trip was tagged “One Man, One Plane”, reflecting its daring nature.
He completed his round-the-world journey on March 29, 2017.
The journey both started and ended at Washington Dulles International Airport.
He became the first African and the ninth British pilot to fly solo around the world.
Odujinrin is among only 117 people globally to achieve a solo circumnavigation by air.
Interestingly, more people have traveled to space than have flown solo around the world.
He began the expedition on June 2016, at the age of 38, after planning it since 2014.
The journey lasted nine months, covering over 15 countries across five continents.
He flew a specially configured Cirrus SR22, capable of about four hours of flight before refueling.
During the trip, he faced financial challenges, even launching a crowdfunding campaign and making stops to raise funds.
His journey received support from Bruce Dickinson, who helped finance the final phase.
Odujinrin flew from Washington to Canada, via John F. Kennedy International Airport, then to Iceland, Scotland, England, Valencia, Malta, Egypt, Djibouti, Oman, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Thailand. From Thailand, it took him 4 weeks to arrive in Darwin, Australia. He did not make a stop in Africa, reportedly due to a lack of corporate sponsorship in Nigeria.
Beyond the record, his mission, through Project Transcend, is to inspire young Africans to pursue ambitious dreams regardless of limitations.