Sir Michael Palin explores Nigeria in TV travel series

The Monty Python star, 80, has embarked on a 2100km journey for the upcoming three-part Channel 5 series, which has a working title of Michael Palin: Into Nigeria.

Set to air later in the year, the series will follow the presenter as he visits Lagos and the northern region before travelling down through the country on a road trip.

"Nigeria has the biggest economy, and the biggest population in Africa," Sir Michael said.

"The potential of the country is enormous, but so are its problems."

Sir Michael said visiting the country for the first time allowed him to see Nigeria's problems first hand and catch "a whiff of the excitement and energy of the place".

"Sometimes inspiring, sometimes a perplexing challenge, my journey through this rich, raucous mix of a country hardly gave me time to draw breath," he said.

"I came home exhausted but exhilarated, and, as in the best of journeys, feeling I know a lot more about the world."

The series will explore the various areas through "the voices, opinions and experiences of Nigerians from all walks of life", Channel 5 has said.

In Lagos, the documentary will show the contrasting extremes within the city - from poverty to extravagant wealth.

Other episodes will showcase a different land in the north of the country, where Islam is the dominant religion.

The series seeks to explore how the country reflects the contemporary world and how Nigerians face their current challenges and the legacies of the past.

Produced by ITN Productions, the series follows the 2022 documentary Michael Palin: Into Iraq and the BAFTA-nominated Michael Palin In North

Sir Michael has become known for his globetrotting BBC travel programs, which have seen him visit locations including the Himalayas and North and South Poles.

He was knighted in 2019 for services to travel, culture and geography, marking his post-Python career in TV and writing.

Australian Associated Press