American online streamer Darren Jason Watkins Jr., popularly known as iShowSpeed, turned heads in Lagos on Wednesday as he livestreamed his first full day in the city, drawing massive crowds, spontaneous street interactions, and a string of viral moments that quickly dominated social media across Africa and beyond.
The 21-year-old YouTuber arrived in Lagos as part of his ongoing Africa tour, “Speed Does Africa,” which began on December 29, 2025, and will span 28 days across 20 countries, including Angola, Nigeria, South Africa, and Eswatini. He began broadcasting almost immediately, sharing real-time footage as his convoy moved through the bustling streets of Lagos.
Dressed in a Nigerian football jersey and standing through the sunroof of a moving vehicle, Speed attracted the attention of residents, traders, and passersby, many of whom ran alongside his convoy, waving and filming on their phones. At times, his security team had to intervene to manage the growing crowd, urging people to step back, and Speed was briefly advised to halt the stream and take cover in a nearby shop for safety.
Street clips showed youths running alongside his vehicle, chanting phrases like “show the love” and “money,” while other residents attempted to get closer to the convoy. In one viral moment, Speed jokingly asked a local man, “Do I look Nigerian?” when he failed to recognize him as a foreigner. At another point, the streamer unknowingly mimicked a local gang greeting, prompting immediate caution from his security team.
A particularly emotional highlight occurred when a group of Nigerian schoolchildren surrounded Speed and sang “Happy Birthday” in unison, marking his 21st birthday. The streamer visibly reacted with emotion as viewers flooded the livestream chat with celebratory messages.
Later, Speed visited Freedom Park on Lagos Island, where he engaged with skaters, dancers, and performers. He attempted Nigerian dance steps, interacted with unicyclists, and sampled local dishes like jollof rice, remarking, “I am not gonna lie, this is good. I think I might have to go with Nigeria.”
The livestream also featured encounters with Nigerian content creators. Fans urged him to meet Habeeb Hamzat (Peller), who went to great lengths—including riding a horse through traffic—to get Speed’s attention. Meanwhile, skit maker Egungun engaged Speed in a brief conversation about his age and online persona, generating widespread online reactions.
Speed also toured the Nike Art Gallery in Lekki, where he was welcomed in traditional Yoruba fashion and dressed in local attire, offering a calmer segment after hours of navigating crowded streets. At ZTTW store, Afrobeats singer Zlatan Ibile surprised him with his first-ever birthday cake, a moment that quickly circulated on social media.
Earlier in the day, Speed celebrated a major milestone, becoming the first Black YouTuber to hit 50 million subscribers, achieving it live from Lagos. Fellow creator MrBeast congratulated him online, noting he was “halfway” to the top. Nigerian music star Davido also joined via FaceTime from Paris to celebrate, as Speed remarked, “I’m in the city. I’m loving it bro. Nigeria has been amazing. I am here for another day.”
Other memorable moments included Speed handing money to a woman and her child on the street, meeting a Nigerian man who resembled his brother, and arranging a video call to show his family the lookalike. Later in the evening, TikTok creator Jarvis performed in her robot persona at a birthday gathering, impressing Speed.
By the end of his first day, iShowSpeed’s livestream had become one of the most talked-about pop-culture events online, showcasing the influence of global digital creators and the energy, unpredictability, and vibrancy of navigating Lagos in real time.
