June, July, August

Very early in June, I left Lagos for Nairobi to warm up to my new flat. I knew I was going to be out for a while, so I tried to bid everyone a proper goodbye before I zipped.

Emy and Caroline welcomed me so warmly and introduced me to a dozen people from all over the world. Caroline hosted the most beautiful dinners and I determined to learn how to do same. I went to a handful of parties. Learnt to make a fire. Built my first Lego. Had brunch with Clara. Tried JC’s fried rice recipe.

Jemima introduced me to her family, and I met an older guy who helped build the Murtala Mohammed Airport. It was genuine culture shock all round, and I was so pleased for all the newness. It felt like I’d found what I was looking for, and I knew I’d made the right move.

Three weeks passed quickly, and I continued to Rwanda for the Offsite.

I settled in and went to dinner with Dhruv and Harshada. We bonded over stories of Nigeria, India and Dubai. Tomi, Ezra, Falgu and Emy joined later. We stayed up till midnight eating and talking. Felt really good.

Met up with Amandine, Shola and Bankole the next day to start planning for the week. The creative energy in the room was palpable — what a group of oddball geniuses! I’m grateful to be doing life with them, and I was glad to spend time in person.

Flights started to arrive the next day and I switched into “Offsite mode”. With so many people around, being busy is the only way I know how to be. This time though, I wasn’t as anxious as I usually am. I guess I’m starting to get used to being known.

I was up and about the entire week. I banded with small groups of people to set up welcome kits. Then test kits. Merch. Banners. Stage. Chairs. TV screens. Media. Comms. I cut my fingers a few times — and this is very silly — but it made me feel very dedicated.

I loved that I got to work closely with Bankole. He’s such a special human being. I also had really good conversations, and the week went by pretty quickly. I partied really hard at the closing dinner, then stayed in to watch a Korean series the next day.

Before I left Kigali, I had dinner and drinks with my team. Everyone is so smart and funny. I still feel weird about being a lead sometimes, but I’m growing out of it. Getting shit-faced together definitely helped.

The Offsite was amazing. Paystack is so special.

I continued to London, only to find out there was a problem and I couldn’t check in to my AirBnB. It was frustrating but I was calm. Timi and Maeve were with me so it felt better. I checked into the nearest hotel and changed. We headed to an amazing party and I forgot all my troubles.

I moved into Timi’s house the next day. I was on leave the entire week — to rest, but also because of my birthday. I wanted a “normal” day, so I slept in for most of the morning. Later in the afternoon, I went to see Everything Everywhere All At Once. The cinema was mostly empty so it felt private. In the evening, Timi and Maeve made dinner. I took some calls, got high and crashed on the couch. Perfect birthday. Jeez, I’m 30.

The next week, I spared Timi’s couch and moved into Osi’s guest room. I learnt so much from being in his life for a couple of days. We connect really deeply and intellectually. He feels so familiar and his kids were a delight. Roland taught me to use some 3D software and we bonded over cartoons. Ronny is obviously the queen of the house!

After Osi’s, I moved to the curator’s flat for the rest of my summer.

I visited a Soho House for the first time. I went see a movie by the docks with Mariella, and she also took me to this incredible light and sound exhibition. I bonded with Maeve. Spent time with Nwando, Fatu and gang. Saw Ire, Tosin and Mode. Reconnected with Timi and Jubril. Went a poetry show with Fakus. Showed Saratu the “speakeasy” just before it got shut down. Spent time with Lola and she took me to her pottery class.

It really felt like a London family and I know I’ll be back often.

Summer ends and I head back to Lagos. I’m glad to be back and alone in the house. I hang with Ez, Tomi and Yadi. I tend to the house. I go to Aisosa’s birthday and see my friends from uni. Many of us are leaving the country, and I realize it may be the last time we see in person.

I’m in Lagos for a week before I head out to Seychelles with the family. Mumsi is retiring and we’re pulling out all the stops. My creator. I take the week off for this and it’s super nice to spend time with Nife and Feyi. We see a museum, go hiking, go on a boat trip, talk a lot, eat plenty and take loads and loads of beautiful pictures. I also get mumsi to record an Artifact (a private podcast) about her career. It was beautiful.

Ez and gang were on the other side of town, so I go visit a few times. It was a beautiful week on a magnificent island, but by the end of it, I couldn’t wait to be back home in my bed.

I returned to Lagos and continued to tend to the house. Smell. Furniture. Electrical. I was tired of moving around so I mostly stayed indoors. When I went out, it was very specific.

I went to JM to hang with Tunji. Yadi and I went to a workshop in Ajah to consult for the LUDO board. I saw Williams a few times. I also saw Lade after many years (she once taught me French). I went to Ope and ATM’s wedding and met a bunch of folks. I went to Mumsi’s thanksgiving in church and saw my cousins and aunties for the first time in years.

I went to an EDM party and meet a bunch of cool Lagos people. I went to Bature a few times and made new artist friends. I went to the Ikeja office. Ezra and I went to Abby’s. I visited Ozzy for the first time. Tomi, Tolu and I hosted a dinner for the Seychelles gang. Favour and I partied at Obi’s House one last time before she travelled.

If I couldn’t make any more friends, I’d truly be satisfied. I feel surrounded by people I can shape a lifetime around.

I was genuinely surprised by how much at home I felt in Lagos, but was also very pleased that the city feels comfy again. I moved my flight to Nairobi by a few days because I just wasn’t ready.

It feels like I’m settling into a life that’ll last the next couple of years. My friendships feel so meaningful and intentional, and there’s so much to explore as we grow. I’m also realising that I’ve achieved my long-time goal of having more than one place that feels like home.

If this is what 30 feels like, I wonder why they made it sound so bad.