Born in Ghana, of Nigerian parents, Ajala grew up in Nigeria as one of around 30 children in a polygamous family. Despite his father’s traditional approach to life, Ajala, with the support of his mother and uncle, embraced education and at the age of 18 moved to the United States, where he studied medicine at the University of Chicago.
It was in the United States that Ajala’s thirst for travel began. In 1952 he ended his studies and embarked upon a 28-day tour of the nation by bicycle. The 2280-mile trip brought him fame,
