Long before Hilda Baci’s famous cooking marathon in 2023 and the wave of Nigerian challengers who followed everal Nigerians had already etched their names into history with Guinness World Records-certified feats. These records span diverse fields, from cooking and sports to art, music, and innovation.
While some record-setters made a single attempt, others returned to push the boundaries and break records more than once.
In this article, The New Daily Prime highlights some of the most remarkable achievements that have put Nigerians on the global stage.
Double Guinness World Record holder
Hilda Baci (Hilda Effiong Bassey) – First made history in May 2023 when she attempted to break the Guinness World Record for the longest cooking marathon by an individual.
The chef began her cook-a-thon on May 11, 2023, and cooked non-stop until May 15, 2023, clocking an incredible 93 hours and 11 minutes. Her feat gained global attention and was officially confirmed by Guinness World Records on June 13, 2023, earning her a spot in history.
In September 2025, Hilda achieved yet another milestone during the World Jollof Festival held in Lagos, where she cooked an astonishing 8,780 kilograms of Jollof rice in about nine hours.
Read Also: Hilda Baci sets record for largest serving of Nigerian jollof rice
This record attempt took place on September 12, 2025, and Guinness officially recognised her as the record holder for the largest quantity of Jollof rice cooked at once on September 15, 2025, making her one of the few Nigerians with multiple Guinness titles.
Adetunwase Adenle
Adetunwase Adenle – Popularly called Nigeria’s “serial record-breaker,” has earned four Guinness World Records across education, public health, and creativity. On September 8, 2011, he gathered 4,222 schoolchildren in Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos, to set the record for the most children reading aloud with an adult at a single location, a record later confirmed by Guinness.
The following month, on October 14, 2011, he organised another record-breaking event at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, where 37,809 schoolchildren washed their hands simultaneously to promote hygiene.
Adenle also holds the record for the world’s largest special stamp, which was created and unveiled on November 17, 2016, at Top Laurel School in Lagos.
Earlier, in 2010, he led 350 volunteers to create what became the world’s largest painting by numbers, a massive artwork measuring 63.5 metres by 49.3 metres, unveiled during Nigeria’s 50th independence anniversary celebrations on November 17, 2010.
Each of these records was officially recognised by Guinness World Records shortly after the events, cementing Adenle’s reputation as a pioneer in using creativity and mass participation for social change.
Single Guinness World Record holders
Many Nigerians have made history with unique, one-off records that have inspired the nation and brought global recognition.
Tunde Onakoya
Tunde Onakoya, the founder of Chess in Slums Africa, Onakoya set the record for the longest chess marathon, playing for over 57 hours in New York’s Times Square to raise awareness for education in underserved communities.
Rema (Divine Ikubor)
The Afrobeats star earned a GWR title as the first artist to achieve a No. 1 hit on the Official MENA Chart with his song Calm Down, a record that highlighted Afrobeats’ growing global dominance.
Gbenga Ezekiel
The rope-skipping sensation holds records for most skips in one minute on one leg and most double under skips in one minute on one leg, showcasing extraordinary fitness and discipline.
Folashade Oluwafemiayo
This Paralympian holds the world record for the heaviest para power lift by a woman in the −79 kg category, affirming Nigeria’s dominance in para powerlifting.
Bose Omolayo
Another para powerlifting champion, Omolayo set the record for the heaviest lift by a female in the −79 kg category in 2021, lifting 144 kg.
Paul Kehinde
Paul Kehinde – Late para powerlifter Kehinde still holds the record for the heaviest lift by a male in the −65 kg category, set in 2018 with an impressive 221 kg.
Bayo Omoboriowo
Bayo Omoboriowo – President Muhammadu Buhari’s official photographer made history by creating the largest photo book in 2021, an artistic project that celebrated Nigeria’s story in pictures.
Oluwatobi Oyinlola
Oluwatobi “Tobi” Oyinlola – Recognised for creating the world’s smallest GPS tracking device, Oyinlola’s innovation put Nigeria on the map for technological ingenuity.
These achievements reflect Nigeria’s growing influence in diverse fields, ranging from the culinary arts and sports to entertainment and technology. They also inspire a new generation of Nigerians to dream big and attempt to set their own world records.
