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My history-making solo flight around the world

Ademilola Odujinrin grew up with one ambition: to be a pilot. He set off to fly his single-engine plane across 5 continents and got an unexpected helping hand from a rock star.

Growing up in Lagos, Nigeria, Ademilola "Lola" Odujinrin always dreamed of becoming a pilot, and although his father was against the idea and pilot training is expensive, Lola worked hard to make his dream a reality. But he had one other ambition: to fly - solo - around the world. He bought his own single-engine plane and set off to cross five continents. When he ran out of money just three stops into his journey, Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson stepped in to help and Lola finally achieved his goal in 2017, becoming the first African to fly solo around the world. He's now working as a commercial pilot based in the UK. This interview was first broadcast in August 2022.

Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com

Presented by: Emily Webb
Produced by: Eric Mugaju & June Christie

(Photo: Ademilola 鈥淟ola鈥 Odujinrin. Credit: Courtesy of Ademilola 鈥淟ola鈥 Odujinrin)

Available now

27 minutes

Last on

Mon 3 Apr 2023 02:32GMT

Broadcasts

  • Sat 1 Apr 2023 04:32GMT
  • Sat 1 Apr 2023 18:32GMT
  • Sat 1 Apr 2023 23:32GMT
  • Sun 2 Apr 2023 08:32GMT
  • Sun 2 Apr 2023 22:32GMT
  • Mon 3 Apr 2023 02:32GMT

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