Ashton Hall toured six African countries, but Lagos won his heart. See why he’s comparing the city to Miami and what he loved most.
He had already seen the beaches of Cape Town, the calm of Kigali, and the shores of Zanzibar. Six countries. Weeks on the road. And yet, when American fitness influencer Ashton Hall picked a favourite, it wasn’t any of those postcard destinations.
The content creator, known for his massive online following, wrapped up a multi-country African tour with a stop in Nigeria that he now says outshined every other leg of the trip. His comparison of the city to Miami has since taken over social media conversations.
Hall’s journey took him through Johannesburg, Cape Town, Nairobi, Kigali, Zanzibar, and Accra before he touched down in Lagos as his final destination.
Rather than treating it as just another stop, he leaned into the everyday rhythm of the city. He joined local fitness enthusiasts for outdoor workouts, took part in late-night runs, and even hopped on an okada for the first time.
During a livestream reflecting on his trip, he didn’t hold back his excitement, calling Lagos an African version of Miami and praising its food, culture, and atmosphere.
Hall’s time in Nigeria wasn’t only about fitness. He connected with notable figures in the country’s creative scene, including a well-known music executive, and spent time interacting with fans who showed up to catch a glimpse of him in person.
His livestreams gave his global audience a front-row view of Lagos life, from its street food to its nightlife, painting a picture that felt far removed from the usual headlines about the country.
Would He Move There?
Not quite. Hall was honest that permanent relocation isn’t in his plans, though he made it clear he’d be back.
For many Nigerians following the story, that honesty mattered. It came from someone who had a genuine basis for comparison after touring half a dozen countries, not just a passing compliment from a first-time visitor.
Whether or not Lagos truly rivals Miami is up for debate, and Nigerians online are already split. But one thing is harder to argue with: after seeing so much of the continent, Hall chose to end his trip talking about Nigeria the most.
