Follow The Yellow Danfo as it charges down the Lagos Badagry Expressway, taking readers on a riveting adventure around the pulsating streets of Lagos. Meet Ola, our millennial protagonist who leads a seemingly content but complacent life navigating her daily commute aboard the iconic minibus. Encounters with daring Danfo drivers and discourteous conductors are par for the course. However, Ola’s life takes an unexpected detour through a series of dramatic events, and she is forced to confront her deepest fears, grapple with existential dilemmas, and make life-altering decisions. We take the journey with Ola as she re-evaluates her stagnate career, strained relationships and deep-rooted insecurities. Leaving her comfort zone becomes a monumental challenge and within these trials, Ola’s awakening and transformation truly begins.
In tandem, the Lagos Badagry Expressway is undergoing rehabilitation and expansion, reflecting the city’s transformation, and illuminating the stark realities of inadequate infrastructure and socioeconomic disparities. Beneath the surface chaos, The Yellow Danfo artfully weaves threads of spirituality, mythology, and the wisdom of proverbs, into the very fabric of sprawling urbanisation. Here, two seemingly distinct narratives intertwine as Ola’s journey of self-discovery mirrors Lagos’ coming-of-age story.
The Yellow Danfo is a fast-paced debut novel by Funmi Akisanya that transcends borders, resonating with universal themes and experiences intrinsic to urban cities around the globe. More than a story, it entertains, enlightens and inspires readers to reflect, connect and embark on their journey of self-discovery. Part travelogue, part cultural exploration, and part social commentary, The Yellow Danfo is an engaging and thought-provoking read for both avid travellers and armchair critics. It offers intellectual stimulation while serving as a guiding compass for exploring one of Africa's most influential cities through the unique lens of The Yellow Danfo.