Nigerian passport, my major challenge as travel content creator — Tayo Aina

A YouTuber, photographer, and travel content creator, Tayo Aina, talks to FAITH AJAYI about his career, travels and other issues

Tell us about your educational background.

I grew up in Lagos State in a middle-class family. I also had my secondary education in the state.

I then went on to the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State to study Estate Management, and graduated with a second-class lower degree. After my graduation, I decided that I wanted to do something that could earn me money. I did not get a job at the time, and Uber (e-ride hailing company) had just come to Nigeria at that time, so I signed up to be a driver. I did that for seven months in Lagos while trying to raise funds. It was in the course of that I discovered my interest in photography. I started using my phone to take pictures of places in Marina, Lagos.

What influenced your decision to become a content creator, with emphasis on YouTube?

I realised that most of the places in Nigeria were not well documented. Meanwhile, I had watched videos of places such as Canada, and the United States of America, and seen how people (content creators) made videos about New York (USA). I then decided to do the same for Lagos. So, I started making those types of videos for Lagos. I learnt how to make videos on YouTube, then I went into the filmmaking space to learn professionally. I started making videos for people, for their weddings, birthdays, and documentaries. I usually jumped on any opportunity I got to hold the camera to film something, whether or not I got paid for it.

From filming a lot, I discovered that I loved the documentary style of filmmaking more than all the other types of videos I made. When I went into YouTube fully, I eventually quit after some months and stopped making videos for people, and focused on making videos for YouTube. That was because I wanted something that would be in my control. I wanted to create something that was my idea and expression. On YouTube, I started documenting places in Lagos, and telling people about interesting places they could visit, as well as telling stories about real estate. From there, I started telling more stories about Nigeria, and Africa; then, the world generally.

I learnt everything I know about filmmaking on YouTube. Also, observing the lives of a lot of travel content creators living in the US and UK, I admired the freedom they had.

From a young age, I had always hated the idea of working for anybody. I started doing business (I sold sweets to my classmate) in primary two. I had the mindset of figuring out a way that won’t have me working for anybody. When I discovered YouTube, it was a way out. I also loved making videos, which looked fun and interesting to me. It was the perfect expression for making videos for a living on one’s terms, and that made me decide to become a YouTuber.

When and how did you get into making videos?

I think it was sometime in 2017, when I was still an Uber driver, that the interest came and I developed it. Before then, I had never done anything relating to photography or videos. After that, I realised that while driving and seeing a building, I was able to know if it would look nice in a photograph, so I started using my phone to take pictures. While taking the photos, I did not know how I was going to monetise it; but from there, I realised that people needed the service. I noted my passion for making videos and discovered a way to make money through it. From there, I kept learning and falling more in love with it as I grew.

Do you edit the videos you make yourself?

All through 2020 and until 2021, all videos I made were edited by me. Now, I have a team that edits my videos; though I still edit some of my Instagram videos and short films.

On the average, how long does it take you to shoot and edit a video?

The timeframe to shoot and edit a video depends on the video. Some videos could take up to a month to shoot and edit, while some could be done in two weeks. On the average though, it takes about a week or two to film and edit a single video. Most of our contents are high-production videos, because we have to travel to those locations to film; then come back to script it, figure out how it’s going to be, and edit it afterward.

Not many Nigerian content creators make the kind of videos you do. Why did you decide to stick to that niche, and not go along with the crowd?

I always love to play in uncontested market spaces, doing things that nobody else is doing, following the path no one else is following. I love just going my own way and figuring things out myself. I think everything I have done so far has been a testament to that. I love challenging the status quo. My life vision is to challenge the status quo, and motivate people to do what inspires them. I feel following what everyone is doing doesn’t work for me, so in any space I enter, I always want to do things differently. I believe there should be something that sets one apart.

I noticed that nobody was making videos about travel which had the same type of quality as the ones I saw that were made in the US, as well as tell a great story about these places. I wanted to make videos that people around the world could watch and get to know about places such as Lagos and Nigeria. It was much harder because most people were making videos where they would just sit in front of the camera in their homes. That would have been more convenient but for me, but it was more about telling stories that no one else had told. Now, I am looking to tell stories that have not been told in my unique way.

What are the things you look out for before determining the location to visit?

I love looking for places that have unique and intriguing stories, because I love story telling. For example, let’s say there is something— perhaps, a festival— happening in Congo, or someone is doing something that is remarkable and worth telling, I would go there.

In 2022, I went to Benin Republic after I heard about a voodoo festival. And, I did a documentary on it. I also found it fascinating that some people live with hyena and even train them (hyena men), so I travelled to northern Nigeria to film about it. What I’m looking for could be in any country across the world. As long as I find something interesting, I would add it to my list. I also carry out research to know if a particular content would be engaging to my viewers.

Take us through your creative process, from the point of ideation and making the videos till they appear on your YouTube channel?

First, it starts with researching the idea to know if it is worth it. That is followed by scripting what I would say and how I would approach the story. From there, I share with my team and we discuss it, then travel to those places to shoot the videos. When we get back, we would then look for the best way to edit it in a way that it would tell a great story to the person watching. Once we are done editing it, we come up with multiple drafts, after which we post it on YouTube with an interesting title.

In many of the places you visit, you try their local foods. Have you ever had an unforgettable experience with any meal you ate during your trips, whether for good or bad?

One of the unforgettable experiences I had was when I tried eating raw meat in Ethiopia. They have a cultural meal which is raw meat with pepper and salt. That was one of the most extreme things I had ever eaten.

On the good side, I tried a meal in Botswana and it was really nice, and even better than most meals I have eaten in other parts of Africa.

Generally, what are some of the memorable moments you have experienced during your travels?

My most memorable moment has been in Nigeria, when I went to experience the Hyena men in Kano. Just experiencing the northern part of the country and the culture along with the hyena men was so fascinating to me. It is indeed one of my most memorable experiences.

Also, going to Namibia and visiting the point where the Namib Desert meets the Atlantic Ocean was fascinating.

New York (US) is another place I had always wanted visit, so going there was noteworthy too.

What other challenges do you face?

One of the major challenges I used to face was the fact that my Nigerian passport was such a huge problem for me when it came to travelling across the world. They often look at one as though one is planning on not returning, or as if one is a criminal; and that really affected me. It got me detained in South Africa, denied from going to Dubai (United Arab Emirates), arrested in Ethiopia and was told to excrete in the toilet in the presence of many people. I also got accosted in Kenya. Those experiences were not good. Having a Nigerian passport will have people looking at one so differently.

Also, travelling across Africa is expensive. I actually believe that Africa is the most expensive continent to travel across. It is so expensive, because there are not enough connections, and are trips are usually so difficult to plan.

Aside from being a YouTuber, what are your other interests?

I have interest in real estate, and hospitality. I have always had interest in real estate, design and architecture…basically, anything that involves creating a space for people. I plan on going into that in the future.

What were the reactions of your loved ones when you became a YouTuber?

My parents have always known me as someone who likes trying different things, because I had tried different businesses when I was younger. I even had a restaurant when I was in school. They probably just knew that I would be fine, so they did not oppose it. My mum was more supportive, though it was not like my dad opposed what I was doing. He was just indifferent, although he might have thought of me going to school so as to be able to get a job. He knew I would eventually figure it out, because I always achieve whatever I set out to do.

What is their stance on your career now?

I kept at it and was able to stand on my feet. Also, they started seeing me travelling, and their friends were watching my videos too. They then began to have more appreciation for it as time went on. It was not as though they did not care, but their appreciation for it increased.

What do you want your audiences to take away from watching your content?

The goal of my content is to educate, entertain and inspire people. I want people to watch my content and be motivated to do anything they want. I also want my content to challenge the status quo, make people look at things differently in whatever career or space they find themselves, and figure out what works for them.

Which countries are still on your bucket list?

I have toured Nigeria, Africa and now, I am touring the world. I will still visit the United States of America and Canada. I want to explore the Caribbean and Asia. Basically, I want to explore the world, sharing what the world looks like through my lens, as well as my perspective as an African discovering the world.