Olusegun Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo will officially flag off the ground-breaking “Lagos to the World” expedition on Sunday, May 31, 2026, at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The event, scheduled for 2:00 p.m., marks the launch of what is being described as the first solo overland global circumnavigation by a Nigerian in a Nigerian-plated vehicle.

The expedition is the brainchild of Nigerian entrepreneur and BMW enthusiast U. Erik Nwagwu, who conceived the mission in honour of his late mother, Professor Helen Nwagwu, and late sister, Mrs. Onyema Fern Eseka, both of whom died from cancer.

According to a statement by Obasanjo’s Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, the former President has endorsed the initiative, describing it as a bold and inspiring effort in the fight against cancer.

Nwagwu will embark on the transcontinental journey in a Nigerian-plated 2008 BMW 535i, travelling across six continents in three stages. Alongside the adventure, the expedition will also drive a major men’s health advocacy campaign focused on prostate cancer awareness and free screenings in underserved roadside communities.

Speaking ahead of the launch, Nwagwu, Managing Director of Carbon Deficits Ltd and a founding member of BMW Club Nigeria, said the mission is deeply personal.

“This expedition is dedicated to the memory of my mother and sister, whose lives were cut short by cancer. Beyond the journey itself, we want to take prostate cancer awareness and screenings to communities often ignored by mainstream healthcare campaigns,” he said.

The initiative has already secured support from several corporate partners, including AXA Mansard as Official Insurance Partner, Zuri Health as Official Digital Healthcare Partner, and Studio 24 as Official Photography and Multimedia Partner.

Zuri Health is expected to coordinate free prostate cancer screenings in Lagos, Abeokuta and Accra as part of the campaign.

Nwagwu described Obasanjo’s involvement as a defining moment for the project, noting that the former President’s endorsement would amplify the mission’s impact across Nigeria and beyond.

He also disclosed that Obasanjo will personally conduct a guided tour of the Presidential Library for guests, including foundation patrons, members of BMW Club Nigeria and invited dignitaries.

(The Nation)

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