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Michael Palin: Across Nigeria (New Official Title!)

Michael Palin: Across Nigeria

My secret is out! After weeks of waffling about going to ‘West Africa”, I can tell the world, if they’re at all interested, that I’ve just filmed a three-part series in Nigeria. Rather like North Korea and Iraq, Nigeria is a country which doesn’t get the attention it deserves. And it was a new country for me, which always makes for a bracing experience, and sharpens the travel senses. 

Nigerians are lively and loud. They don’t do English politeness – ‘I’m sorry, would you mind awfully’ – they say what they mean, usually at many decibels, but they laugh easily and I like people like that.

Nigeria is a big player internationally, with the greatest population (around 220 million) and the biggest economy in Africa. But it doesn’t it feel like a country at the top of the tree.

I’ve been to the heart of Africa’s ‘slumbering giant’ to try and find out why. Come along with me and see what you think. Looks like an April release. 

Michael Palin: Across Nigeria
A market in Lagos. Something for everbody.

As with North Korea and Iraq I’m turning my diary of the journey into a book, which should be out early next year. 

Before that there’ll be a paperback of Great-Uncle Harry and the fourth volume of my diaries to come. Both John Cleese and my much-missed wife Helen had a go at me for talking too much, so I apologise to both of them.