Nigerian cyclist and humanitarian Emmanuel Myam, popularly known as Emmiwuks, has received a devastating setback in his ambitious solo bicycle journey from Nigeria to the United States.
The Spanish Consulate in Lagos has denied his Schengen visa application, citing his travel itinerary as “risky” and the conditions of stay as “not reliable.”
In an emotional statement shared on his social media platforms, the 25-year-old Benue State native revealed he received his passport back from the consulate exactly 33 days after attending his visa interview in Lagos.
“My Story Was Inspirational, But Not Administrative Enough”
Emmiwuks, who suspended his transcontinental ride in Mauritania last month and returned to Nigeria to address health challenges and secure travel documentation, explained the difficult decision behind his return.
“The plan was simple: pause, fix what needed fixing, and move forward stronger,” he wrote. Addressing questions about why he didn’t secure visas before departing, he offered a candid admission: “I didn’t have the financial strength at the time. And I refused to let lack of money stop a dream that was bigger than me.”
His Schengen visa rejection letter stated that his journey was deemed “risky” and the conditions of stay were “not reliable.” Emmiwuks acknowledged the decision with striking honesty: “If you laugh at me at this point, you are not wrong. My only offence was starting before everything was perfectly structured.”
A Mission Rooted in Purpose
Emmiwuks embarked on his NIG2USA expedition on July 1, 2025, cycling through Benin Republic, Togo, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and Liberia before health and documentation challenges forced him to pause in Mauritania. His mission, inspired by his own near-death experience from appendicitis in 2023, aims to raise awareness and funds for orphaned and displaced children across Africa.
His journey earned official recognition when Ghana’s Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts endorsed his cause in July 2025, with Minister Abla Dzifa Gomashie praising his “noble and selfless act.”
“This Is Not the End”
Despite the crushing blow, Emmiwuks struck a defiant tone. “I understand. And I take responsibility,” he stated. “But I also believe dreams sometimes begin before paperwork catches up.”
He announced plans to appeal the decision or file a fresh application, making an open plea for recommendation letters, references, and institutional backing from government, private, and personal sources. “My journey is public, traceable, and verifiable across countries and borders. This is not disappearance, this is documentation of a life mission.”
The cyclist, who once earned ₦15,000 monthly as a crane motor boy and saved to buy a bicycle frame he rebuilt with friends, acknowledged the emotional weight of the moment: “My heart is really heavy at the moment, but I’ll be alright.”
He concluded with the mantra that has defined his journey: “Phase Two will still happen. We only adjust, we don’t abandon. Together we ride. Together we rise. VIVA AFRICA.”
