I Did It Busayo…. Hello Lagos Nigeria

I did it—I went to the Nigerian embassy, gathered a massive amount of documentation, applied for my visa, and got it. I’m thrilled because my friend Busayo, an American/Nigerian designer, invited me to join her in Lagos while she works on her new collection. The opportunity to travel with her was irresistible, knowing how fun and imaginative she is, and being invited to a new country with someone familiar with the culture was amazing.

One of the funniest moments was when I arrived in Lagos. Busayo picked me up outside arrivals, looked at me in astonishment, and exclaimed, "Reed, do you know how many years I’ve been inviting people to Lagos? You’re the first one who has actually followed through and shown up." We both laughed heartily and then set off to explore Lagos, with Busayo showing me around and sharing her favorite spots.

In the following days, I accompanied her to dye fabrics and witness her work on her clothing line. We then planned a shoot in Osugbo, a town to the north, home to the sacred grove dedicated to the Yoruba goddess Oshun. Everything was new and exciting, and I photographed everything I could.

On the last day, Busayo got takeout, and we did a food shoot featuring popular Nigerian dishes. Although most of the dishes were meat-based, which I couldn’t eat, they looked incredible. I’m immensely grateful to Busayo for an amazing first trip to Nigeria. She introduced me to the country in the most wonderful way, making me feel comfortable and secure. I know I will return one day to explore more.

Thank you Busayo