Nigeria has never been short of exceptional talent, creativity, and resilience. Over the years, several Nigerians have gone beyond borders to showcase their skills, passion, and determination by having their names in the Guinness World Records. These records cut across diverse fields including sports, entertainment, arts, cooking, and humanitarian efforts, reflecting the versatility and greatness of Nigerians on the global stage.
In addition to her globally celebrated 2023 cooking marathon record, Hilda Effiong Bassey (popularly known as Hilda Baci) recently embarked on another Guinness World Record attempt; this time for the Largest Pot of Jollof Rice. The attempt took place at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, where a custom-built pot measuring 6 metres wide and 6 metres tall, with a capacity of 22,619 litres, was used to cook thousands of kilograms of rice. It’s not yet official if she has yet again broken this record as it’s still currently under review as per this hour.
Below is a fact list of Nigerians who have broken or set Guinness World Records:
- Hilda Effiong Bassey (Hilda Baci): Longest cooking marathon by an individual (93 hours 11 minutes, 2023).
- Tunde Onakoya: Longest chess marathon (57 hours 58 minutes, 2024).
- Oside Oluwole “Khoded” : Longest video game marathon playing a football game (75 hours, 2024).
- Bose Omolayo: Heaviest para power lift by a woman in the -79 kg category (144 kg, 2021).
- Paul Kehinde: Heaviest para power lift by a man in the -65 kg category (221 kg, 2018).
- Gbenga Ezekiel: Most skips in one minute on one leg; most double-under skips on one leg (2022).
- Chukwuebuka Ezugha & Victor Richard Kipo: Most consecutive football passes using the soles (2021).
- Chinonso Miracle Eche: Multiple freestyle football records (headers, touches while balancing on the head, etc.).
- Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke: Largest individual artwork on canvas (12,303.87 m², 2023).
- Bayo Omoboriowo: Largest photo book (60.84 m², 2021).
- Helen Williams: Longest handmade wig; widest wig; most hair clips in a wig in 30 seconds (2023–2024).
- Rema (Divine Ikubor): First song to top the Official MENA Chart (Calm Down, 2023).
- Hawwal Ogungbadero & 29 artists: Longest recording marathon (40 hours 19 minutes, 2024).
- Micheal Odenigbo: Most trees planted by an individual in 24 hours (25,000+, 2025).
- Akwa Ibom Christmas Carols Festival: Largest gathering of carol singers (25,272 singers, 2014).
- Fela Anikulapo Kuti: Most studio albums released by a solo artist (46 albums).
- Kaffy (Kafayat Shafau): Longest dance marathon (55 hours, 2006).
- Stephen Keshi: Youngest person to win the Africa Cup of Nations as both a player and a coach.
- Haruna Abdulazeez: Most American football touches with the feet in one minute (2020).
- Olawunmi Treasures Bayode: Longest reading marathon aloud (122 hours, 2018).
- Adetunwase Adenle: Four Guinness records: largest painting by children, most children reading aloud with an adult, most children washing hands simultaneously, and largest football jersey.