Nigerian adventurer and humanitarian Captain Olatunji Emmanuel Okedeyi has embarked on an ambitious transcontinental cycling expedition from London, United Kingdom, to Lagos, Nigeria, using the journey to raise awareness and funds for the global fight against polio.

The campaign, themed “London to Lagos: Two Wheels, One Mission to End Polio,” began seven days ago and has already taken Okedeyi across several European and North African cities. He is currently travelling through Morocco and is expected to reach the Mauritanian border as he continues his over 10,000-kilometre journey to Nigeria.

His route has included major locations such as Paris, San Sebastián, Madrid, Malaga, Marrakesh, Casablanca, Agadir, Laayoun, and Dakhla, showcasing both endurance and commitment to a humanitarian cause.

Speaking about the motivation behind the initiative, Okedeyi said his upbringing in a family of healthcare professionals inspired his passion for disease prevention and public health advocacy.

“Growing up in a home where healthcare was a way of life taught me that prevention is the ultimate cure. Polio remains one of the diseases the world has the power to eradicate completely, and I want to contribute to that mission,” he said.

To support the campaign, Okedeyi launched the “Kilometre Club,” an initiative that invites individuals and organisations to sponsor portions of the journey. Under the programme, every £10 donated sponsors one kilometre of the route between London and Lagos.

Funds generated through the campaign will support vaccination programmes, cold-chain logistics required for vaccine preservation, and rehabilitation services, including physical therapy and mobility aids for people affected by polio.

Among the supporters of the initiative is Prince Yinka Afonja, Chief Executive Officer of Ace Mall, who has backed the campaign’s fundraising and awareness objectives.

Okedeyi acknowledged the physical and logistical challenges involved in cycling across multiple countries and terrains but expressed confidence that continued support from donors and well-wishers would help sustain the mission.

Beyond raising funds, he said the expedition represents a symbolic connection between his life in the United Kingdom and his Nigerian heritage while reinforcing the need to preserve the gains made in the global fight against polio.

Nigeria achieved a major public health milestone in 2020 when it was declared free of the wild poliovirus, but health experts continue to emphasise the importance of sustained immunisation campaigns to prevent any resurgence.

As he pedals towards West Africa, Okedeyi hopes his journey will inspire governments, corporate organisations, philanthropists, and individuals to strengthen support for efforts aimed at consigning polio to history.

The campaign is being promoted on social media under the hashtags #EmmaRidesForZeroPolio, #EndPolio, #LivingForTheSakeOfOthers, and #ServiceAboveSelf.