Welcome to the first edition of HOT WHEELS, a fresh new segment spotlighting Nigeria’s fast-rising skating community — the bold, the creative, and the fearless carving their own lanes across the streets of cities like Lagos and Abuja.
In this debut feature, we sit down with the multitalented Bobby Ibo, skater, musician, fashion enthusiast, and member of the SBMP collective, to talk about his journey on four wheels, the raw energy of the Lagos skate scene, and how skating has become a lifestyle, a movement, and a means of self-discovery.
How did you first get into skating?
My childhood friend once brought a skateboard to my house and left it with me for a long time. As a kid, I never really learned how to ride it; I just used to sit on it and roll down hills. It wasn’t until I became an adult that I finally learned to skateboard properly.
Do you remember your first time on a skateboard or rollerblades? What was that experience like?
I was actually scared to ride because my brother had seriously injured his chin skateboarding, but that didn’t stop me. But Bobby Ibo never backs down from a challenge. I can’t lie, it was amazing.
How would you describe the skating community in Lagos today?
Vibrant. Ambitious. Creative. Resilient.
Are there particular areas in Lagos where skaters gather regularly?
To be honest, we’d skate anywhere the ground was good. But the most popular spots are the train station, the National Stadium in Surulere, and WAF Park in Freedom Park.
What makes Lagos a unique place to skate compared to other cities?
Honestly, I personally prefer skating in Abuja to Lagos. Skating in Lagos is risky AF. It’s got just the right amount of crazy people, crazy enough to do what we do. But it teaches you patience, confidence, and endurance. Plus, I truly believe Lagos has the biggest skateboarding community in Nigeria.
Do you think skating is becoming more accepted or visible in Nigerian youth culture?
Hell fucking yes! We made skateboarding look cool. Now everyone’s picking up a board, even if it’s just to snap a pic. That’s a win in my book.
Are you part of a skating crew or collective? Tell us about it.
I’m part of a skating collective called SBMP, Skateboarders Marketplace. Our mission is to spread the gospel of skateboarding and empower the community with the right amount of knowledge on balancing skating, work, and real life.
What role do community and collaboration play in your skating journey?
I just dropped my EP titled The Year of the Underdogs. Track 3, called Chop, was produced by a skateboarder, and all the features on the song are skateboarders, too. That’s what community and collaboration are all about. My music’s gotten better, my confidence is at an all-time high, and my fashion has stepped up. I found my place in the world through skating
What are some of the biggest challenges you face as a skater in Lagos?
Crazy Lagos riders and drivers, brands that want us to break our backs for exposure (lol), and limited infrastructure —that’s the real struggle.
How would you describe your skating style? Do you have any influences?
Skate Jeezus bending. God is my influence.
Where do you see skating in Nigeria in the next 5–10 years?
X Games, Olympics, SLS, World Skateboarding Championships. We’ve got the talent, now we just need the right structures to get us there
Do you think skating could become a career path or more professionalised here?
YESSSSSSSSSS! We just need more people with the drive, hunger, and passion for the sport, not just cloth vendors.
49th Street: What kind of support (from government, brands, or others) would help the skating scene grow?
What we need: more skatepark infrastructure, access to affordable gear, stronger community building and inclusivity, mainstream media exposure, safer education on skating, and real sponsorship opportunities
