American online sensation IShowSpeed electrified crowds in Nigeria’s bustling commercial hub during a whirlwind stop on his continent-spanning tour, culminating in a milestone 50 million YouTube subscribers on his 21st birthday, as fans and locals alike turned out in droves to catch a glimpse of the streamer.
The visit, part of the “Speed Does Africa” initiative launched December 29, 2025, saw Darren Jason Watkins Jr. navigate Lagos’ vibrant streets on January 21, drawing throngs of admirers who chased his convoy, chanted his name, and captured the frenzy on their phones.
Starting at the iconic Balogun Market, IShowSpeed was met with enthusiastic but overwhelming greetings, prompting him to quip: “What are they saying? It’s like they’re speaking English, but a different kind of English,” before his security team whisked him away amid calls for money and attention.
He later immersed himself in local culture at Freedom Park, a historic site once a colonial prison, where he sampled Nigeria’s famed jollof rice and declared: “I am not gonna lie, this is good. I think I might have to go with Nigeria,” jumping from the spice while engaging with skaters, dancers, and performers.
A poignant moment unfolded when schoolchildren surrounded him to sing “Happy Birthday,” visibly moving the streamer amid the chaos.
As evening fell, IShowSpeed paused his roadside convoy to celebrate smashing the 50 million subscriber barrier live on stream, shoving his face into a cake gifted by Afrobeats artist Zlatan Ibile, which he called the first birthday cake he had ever received.
Fellow creator MrBeast congratulated him online, noting IShowSpeed was “halfway” to overtaking him, while Nigerian superstar Davido joined via FaceTime from Paris, with IShowSpeed responding: “I’m in the city. I’m loving it bro. Nigeria been amazing. I am here for another day.”
Interactions with local influencers added flair, including a brief chat with skit maker Egungun of Lagos, who asked: “Speed, how old are you?” to which he replied, “I’m 21,” prompting Egungun to exclaim: “wow and you look so healthy and strong.”
TikTok star Peller made a dramatic bid for collaboration, climbing onto the vehicle and pleading: “Please I’m a streamer. I’m big. Please let’s do something. I have suffered because of you,” though IShowSpeed did not engage.
At the Nike Art Gallery in Lekki, he was welcomed in traditional Yoruba style and donned cultural attire, further blending his high-energy persona with local customs.
Local observers praised the visit’s impact, with YouTuber Stephen Oluwafisayomi saying: “IShowSpeed is showcasing the culture, relationships, cultural differences and food. He wants Americans to see Africa as a place they can also come to.”
High school student Karim Jari added: “He may have shown some negative aspects of these countries, but that should be able to motivate people to help, contribute and try to improve them, whether by creating businesses, raising funds or by any other means at their disposal.”
The tour, which has included racing cheetahs in South Africa and attending the AFCON final in Morocco, underscores IShowSpeed’s rise from gaming content to global adventures, with Forbes pegging his net worth at $20 million and Rolling Stone dubbing him 2025’s most influential creator.
Not without hiccups, IShowSpeed noted the dimming streets at dusk, commenting: “It’s getting dark here in Nigeria. I don’t like this dark stuff,” a remark that sparked online discussions about urban infrastructure.
Heavy security accompanied the streamer throughout, highlighting the challenges of live broadcasting in one of Africa’s most populous cities.
