By Josephine Agbonkhese

Few voices capture the transformative power of travel quite like Olabanke Subair. A creative disruptor, entrepreneur, and passionate explorer, Olabanke has turned her journeys into fuel for both personal evolution and professional innovation.

In just the past year alone, she traversed seven remarkable destinations — Spain, Portugal, Rwanda, the Netherlands (Amsterdam), Belgium, France, and the United Kingdom — collecting stories, inspiration, and perspectives that continue to shape her worldview.
Olabanke’s travels are far more than escapes; they are deliberate quests for knowledge, creativity, and connection.

In this exclusive interview, Olabanke opens up about the destinations that left indelible marks on her heart, the travel essentials she swears by, her ambitious goal of visiting 40 countries before turning 40, and her hopes for elevating Nigeria’s place on the global travel map.

What sparked this season of travel for you?

I believe travelling is the best way to discover the world and learn about oneself in the process. Through cultural exchange and direct interaction with the history of others, your worldview becomes less linear and more well-rounded.

How has travel influenced the way you think about business and innovation?

Travelling has exposed me to the endless possibilities that one can explore with the right mentality— the-can-do-mentality. The imagination of one’s mind is limited to the kind of knowledge it has access to. So, I would say visiting other countries gives you ideas and inspiration on what is possible and executable.

Which destination surprised you the most, and why?

Rwanda and Singapore, for sure.
Both countries exemplify a certain level of orderliness that is quite admirable and refreshing to see. Everywhere is neat, the air quality is amazing and you can tell lawlessness isn’t a problem which is a reflection of the good work the government must be doing. I was also impressed by how advanced Rwanda is in promoting green energy; I particularly saw a lot of electric vehicles on the roads, which really reflected the country’s commitment to sustainable transportation.

What’s the one travel experience you still replay in your mind?

Visiting Dubai for the first time. Anyone who knows me can testify to my incessant talk about it being my second home, even though I’ve only been there once. That’s how much of an impression it left on me. Just learning about how it was a complete desert prior to the construction, urbanisation and general development of the entire city still replays in my mind.

Spain and Portugal are known for their vibrant art, food, and nightlife cultures. What parts of those experiences stood out most to you?

For Spain, I’d have to say attending a flamenco show was an experience that surprised me. Flamenco is a vibrant, cultural art expression that blends dance, singing and guitar playing to tell stories. It was such an emotional experience for me and I was surprised that I shed a tear or two from watching people just sing and dance. For Portugal, I found it quite interesting that they don’t serve white rice with stew. From my experience, it is served plain.

As someone constantly creating and building, do you travel to escape, recharge, or discover?

I’d say it’s a mix of all three. I rarely travel just to recharge, escape, or discover. It’s usually a combination of everything for me. That’s why I mostly prefer multi-city trips, where I visit two or three countries or cities within one trip. Some days are for simply resting indoors, others are for exploring, and some are dedicated to unique experiences and activities.

Which destination offered the best balance between luxury, culture, and creativity?

Singapore, Dubai and Spain for sure.

What are some travel essentials you never leave home without?

A travel adapter, mini first aid kit, Panadol, and a remote control tripod.

If you had to recommend just one destination, which would it be and why?

I would highly recommend visiting Singapore, because of its exceptional cleanliness, safety, and modern innovation with rich cultural diversity. Crime there is also on the all time low; almost non-existent.

What misconceptions did you have about any of these countries before visiting them?

I had assumed Uganda was remote and underdeveloped based on images I had seen online, but visiting in person completely changed my perspective. I was genuinely surprised by how vibrant, modern, and upscale it is. The people are incredibly hospitable, and Kampala itself is a remarkably beautiful and lively city.

What’s next on your travel bucket list?

To visit 40 countries before I turn 40. I’ve currently visited about 20 countries. So, I’m hoping to check more countries off before then.

What do you think Nigeria’s travel and tourism culture is still missing?

I believe what is missing is the right publicity and investment in the development and maintenance of some of our scenic areas. The problem isn’t a lack of tourist attractions because we do have many that the world needs to see such as the Kajuru castle in Kaduna for example and the once famous Obudu Cattle Ranch amongst many others.
Our problem is having a maintenance culture.