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A US-based YouTuber, IShowSpeed, recently visited Lagos, Nigeria, which is known as the country’s cultural and economic hub. The visit coincided with his 21st birthday and his achievement of reaching 50 million subscribers on YouTube. His African tour, which began on December 29, spans approximately 15 countries across the continent and has attracted large crowds at each location.
Recognized by Rolling Stone magazine as the most influential creator of 2025, IShowSpeed’s net worth has been estimated at around $20 million by Forbes. His day in Lagos started at the lively Balogun Market on Lagos Island, where crowds gathered to interact with him, some even asking for money. Surrounded by bodyguards, he commented on the crowd, saying, “What are they saying? It sounds like English, but a different kind,” before hurriedly leaving the market scene.
He then visited Freedom Park, which was formerly a prison, where he enjoyed the spicy taste of his first plate of jollof rice. Following this, he went to the Nike Art Gallery, a popular destination for celebrities and political elites visiting Lagos. Stephen Oluwafisayomi, a 24-year-old YouTuber known as Stevosky, observed that IShowSpeed’s effort was to showcase Nigeria’s culture, relationships, and food to an international audience, especially Americans, to present Africa as a welcoming travel destination.
Later in the evening, around 6:00 PM local time, IShowSpeed, celebrating his birthday, paused along the roadside with his security team to witness his YouTube channel reach 50 million subscribers. He marked the milestone by smashing a birthday cake into his face, celebrating with excitement. A local observer, Karim Jari, an 18-year-old student at Nike Art Gallery, remarked that despite some negatives shown about these countries, such experiences can motivate people to support and help improve them through business, fundraising, or other efforts.
The day prior, IShowSpeed also celebrated Senegal’s victory in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Dakar. Known outside the screen as Darren Jason Watkins Jr., the Cincinnati native started his online career a decade ago, initially posting gaming videos before expanding into content about his global travels. His current Africa tour has included some notable activities, such as racing a cheetah in South Africa, playing soccer with 100 children in Angola, visiting Kenya’s Maasai community, and attending the AFCON final in Morocco.
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