It’s my goal to travel, show people the world through my lenses —Miracle Saiki, travel content creator

Miracle Umeamotu Saiki is a 21-year-old economics graduate of Oduduwa University, Osun State. She is a travel content creator who highlights culture, local experiences, and the importance of global exploration in her work. In this interview by OYEYEMI OKUNLADE, she shares her journey into travel and lifestyle content creation while inspiring others to explore the world.

Tell us about your journey from studying Economics at Oduduwa University to becoming a travel content creator.

Growing up, I had always loved to travel. It was my dream to see the whole world before I pass on. At 13, I discovered how much I love being in front of the camera, even though I had no idea what I wanted to talk about. Aside from being a camera freak and a lover of travel, I love doing business and interacting with people. I needed to understand how the economy works, hence why I studied economics.

In 2024, the year I graduated, the desire to create travel content became stronger, and this was the point at which I decided to pick up my phone and record content.

How has your background in economics influenced your approach to travel and content creation?

Economics made me aware of access and inequality. It reminds me that travel is a privilege for many people. That awareness pushes me to create content that is inclusive — to make global experiences feel reachable, educational, and inspiring.

You mentioned that your travel journey began in 2020, but you officially started content creation in 2024. What changed between those years?

Self-discovery happened in between. Plus, I gained admission in 2021. So, I needed to give my studies undivided attention. But in between the years, a lot of self-discovery happened.

That said, since then, to me, travel is about immersion. So, as I travel from place to place. I try to soak in people’s thought patterns and see what makes them act the way they do. Without immersion, I may not fully understand life from their own perspective and point of view.

My ultimate goal is to show my virtual family to the world through my lenses. It is my goal to travel around the world as God gives me strength, to explore and also impact as many lives as possible by providing their needs, school fee sponsorship, assisting the aged, funding prospective businesses, and the like.

What inspired you to start documenting your travels on YouTube?

I am a very expressive person, and I usually say I talk a lot. Hence, I started YouTube because people on YouTube would stay faithful to watching long content, and I can properly express myself there, unlike other video platforms like TikTok and Instagram, where the attention span of the viewer is very short.

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When I first started out as a content creator, my two major challenges were gadgets and finances. I needed a better phone and a lot of money to sponsor my trips since I was just starting out in the content creation space.

Where do you see your YouTube channel in the next five years?

Aside from the numbers, in the next five years, I see my YouTube channel as a global village — one that accommodates people from different regions, countries, tribes, and tongues. A place where we can all relate together based on culture, belief system, and tradition.

How do you plan to balance storytelling with commercial opportunities like brand partnerships?

When it comes to brand partnerships, balance is very important, hence why I would only work with brands that align with my personal brand and what I am building. I believe it is easier to find a balance when there is alignment.

What makes your travel content unique? How do you ensure your storytelling feels authentic?

What makes me stand out from other creators is my story and how I tell it. Truth is, we all are saying the same things, but in different ways. I am learning to harness the power of telling my own story, which is unique to me.

As someone who likes being as real as possible, I try to always put out very real and unfiltered content. Whenever I feel a certain kind of way while filming, I go ahead to show it because people relate more with creators who are as real as possible. At the end of it all, we are all humans — both the creators and those who are behind the screens watching.

Why do you prioritise visiting local markets and trying indigenous dishes when you travel?

Before visiting any new place, I scout everywhere for as much information as I can lay my hands on. I check on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Google, Maps and even AI tools.

To truly experience any place, you must try out its local dishes and cuisines. As a traveller, I know for a fact that people become very comfortable having you around when you eat from their pot because food brings people together. And, yes, I explore markets too to see what business looks like in that area, how they trade and what they have for sale.

Have you ever visited a place that completely changed your perspective about culture or people?

Not entirely. I say this because in my experience as a travel creator, I have met with people from different tribes and cultures. But with deep study, you will find out that everything is related.

You said not everyone has the opportunity to travel. How do you make your audience feel like they are truly experiencing the destination with you?

I make my audience feel like they are experiencing it with me by creating videos with them in mind. I call my subscribers ‘teammates’. When I start creating any video, I invite them to join me on the adventure. That way, it is no longer about me but us, because we are working as a team even though I cannot see them physically.

What feedback from your audience has impacted you the most?

I cannot point to a particular comment, but the people who watch my videos emphasise how much they love what I do and how much they want to see more. That impacts and inspires me the most.

Are there specific regions or cultures you are most excited to explore in the future?

Yes. As an African, I am most excited about exploring the whole of Africa. This is because it is undoubtedly true that Africa has a rich historical heritage and cultural diversity. I would like to experience it for myself.

What keeps you going during moments of doubt?

Truth is, it gets really tiring, especially as a growing creator who is still finding her ground in the creative space. In days of doubt and fatigue, I remind myself why I started. I also take a step back to appreciate how far I have come and also remind myself where I am going. The bigger picture just inspires me to keep going.

Who or what inspires you creatively?

Quite a number of people. The likes of Tayo Aina, who is a Nigerian travel creator, and other foreign travel creators like Davud Akhundzada, Drew Binskey, Wode Maya, etc.

What advice would you give to young people who want to start travel content creation?

If I were to advise young people building in the travel content niche, I would tell them to just go for it. A creator friend of mine said, “Life is lived forward but understood backwards.” In other words, they may not have it figured out yet, but as they keep going, they keep meeting new people, new ideologies and new thought patterns. Remember, they say experience is the best teacher. So, they get to learn on the go through first-hand experience. It would be worth it in the end, as long as they put in the effort to see it work. Plus, they do not have to overthink it, because clarity would come in the “doing”.