Trailblazer on Two Wheels: NCS Officer Akpevwe Ogboru Rides from Nigeria to Belgium and Back, Alone and Undaunted
How one woman’s 72-day solo motorbike journey across two continents became a symbol of courage, gender inclusivity, and cross-border discovery.
When Akpevwe Ogboru, a spirited officer of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), swung her leg over her motorbike on a bright August morning in 2025, she was not just revving an engine — she was igniting a movement.
Her mission was bold, her path uncertain, and her resolve unshakable. Over the next 72 days, Ogboru — affectionately called Tracta 2 — would carve her name into adventure history, riding solo from Nigeria to Belgium and back, traversing 22 countries, two continents, and covering more than 10,000 kilometres of winding roads, shifting borders, and endless discovery.
The expedition, aptly themed “Ride for Women Inclusivity and Cross-Border Research,” became more than an endurance challenge — it was a living metaphor for courage, self-belief, and the untamed power of the African woman.
The Journey Beyond Borders
Setting out from Nigeria on August 1, 2025, Ogboru’s route was anything but ordinary. From the humid highways of West Africa to the cool terrains of southern Europe, she rode through landscapes that tested her endurance and spirit.
There were moments of elation — the thrill of open roads beneath azure skies — and moments of fatigue, isolation, and uncertainty. Yet, as she later revealed, her compass was faith, her fuel was positivity, and her destination was purpose.
“Every time I move, I move with positivity,” she said with a smile at the Seme–Krake Joint Border Post, where she was received by cheering colleagues and senior NCS officers after her return.
“When challenges came, I prayed about them. Sometimes the bike would have a small issue in a new country, but somehow, help always came. I just kept believing.”
Ogboru’s journey to Belgium lasted 35 days, but her return to Nigeria — and the lessons gathered along the way — completed the circle of her 72-day adventure.
A Ride with Purpose
Ogboru’s expedition was not merely about mileage or maps. It was a statement of purpose — a moving campaign for gender inclusivity, girl-child empowerment, and cross-border collaboration.
Each kilometre became a classroom, each border crossing a bridge between dreams and determination. Along the way, she connected with other women riders, development advocates, and local communities, sharing stories of resilience and sparking conversations about equality and empowerment.
Her journey also spotlighted cross-border research and integration, themes dear to the NCS, which plays a pivotal role in trade facilitation, regional cooperation, and security. Through her ride, Ogboru demonstrated that boundaries need not divide — they can connect, educate, and inspire.
The Homecoming: Triumph of the Spirit
When Akpevwe Ogboru’s motorbike roared back into Nigeria on a sun-drenched Saturday in October, the reception was jubilant. Senior Customs officers, including Comptroller Wale Adenuga of the Seme Command and other Area Controllers within Zone A, turned out in full force to honour one of their own.
The air was thick with applause, laughter, and pride as colleagues hailed her as both trailblazer and ambassador.
“It’s been 72 days in 22 countries,” she said, standing beside her weathered but trusted bike. “I am happy to be finally back — and proud that I made it. My goal was simple: to show that women can do anything if they believe in themselves.”
Her story, equal parts adventure and advocacy, resonated beyond the NCS ranks — echoing through women’s groups, travel communities, and the global adventure riding circuit.
NCS Applauds a Pathfinder
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, praised the courage and tenacity of Akpevwe Ogboru, describing her as “a beacon of inspiration and a symbol of the service’s progressive spirit.”
Adeniyi noted that her feat aligns with the NCS’s renewed focus on inclusivity, innovation, and human capacity development.
“We are proud of her accomplishment and the values it represents — discipline, endurance, and patriotism,” he said. “Her journey embodies the essence of modern customs — borderless cooperation, resilience, and service to humanity.”
The CGC further emphasized that the NCS remains committed to empowering officers, especially women, to pursue professional growth and personal fulfilment through bold initiatives that transcend traditional boundaries.
Riding for a Bigger Cause
Beyond its symbolism, Ogboru’s journey underscores the growing global movement of women adventurers redefining exploration. Once seen as a male-dominated pursuit, motorbike touring is now a rising platform for women to express freedom, courage, and purpose.
Akpevwe Ogboru’s message is clear: adventure can be a tool for advocacy. Whether it’s raising awareness for gender equality or promoting Africa–Europe cooperation, her two-wheeled odyssey proves that real change often starts with a single step — or, in this case, a single ride.
Her expedition also sheds light on the growing potential of adventure tourism and cross-border travel as emerging sectors in Africa’s economic diversification strategy. As nations invest in connectivity, safety, and cultural exchange, stories like Ogboru’s become valuable case studies for how passion and purpose can drive diplomacy and development.
The Road Ahead
For Akpevwe Ogboru, the journey may have ended, but the mission continues. She hopes to document her experience in a forthcoming travel journal and is already planning new initiatives focused on empowering young women through mobility, mentorship, and adventure education.
“I want to show girls that they don’t need to wait for approval to chase their dreams,” she said. “The road may be long, but the world is open.”
From the border towns of West Africa to the cobblestoned streets of Belgium, Akpevwe Ogboru’s story is one of fearless motion, unwavering optimism, and transformative purpose.
And as her motorbike cools under the Nigerian sun, it carries more than just the dust of two continents — it bears the imprint of a woman who dared to ride beyond limits and returned home with her spirit unbroken.
