10 Guinness World Records Held by Nigerians
Nigeria is a country full of dreamers, achievers, and history-makers. Over the years, Nigerians have etched their names in the Guinness World Records by doing extraordinary things in music, sports, arts, food, and creativity. These milestones showcase not just talent, but also resilience, passion, and the Nigerian spirit of “never giving up.”
Here are 10 Guinness World Records proudly held by Nigerians, along with the years they were achieved.
1. Hilda Baci – Longest Cooking Marathon by an Individual (2023)
In May 2023, celebrity chef Hilda Effiong Bassey, popularly known as Hilda Baci, cooked nonstop in Lagos for 93 hours and 11 minutes. This spectacular cook-a-thon set a new Guinness World Record and drew global attention to Nigeria’s culinary scene.
https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2023/6/hilda-baci-awarded-record-for-worlds-longest-cooking-marathon-752162
2. Tunde Onakoya – Longest Chess Marathon (2024)
Chess master and founder of “Chess in Slums Africa,” Tunde Onakoya, made history in April 2024 at Times Square, New York. He played chess continuously for 58 hours, raising funds for underprivileged children while breaking the Guinness World Record.
https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/longest-chess-marathon
3. Wizkid – First Track to Reach 1 Billion Spotify Streams with “One Dance” (2016)
In 2016, Ayo Balogun, famously known as Wizkid, became part of Guinness World Records when his collaboration with Drake and Kyla on “One Dance” hit 1 billion streams on Spotify, making him the first Nigerian artist credited on a Guinness World Record-holding track.
https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/726071-most-song-of-the-year-awards-won-at-the-all-africa-music-awards
4. Rema – First No.1 on the Official MENA Chart (2022)
Divine Ikubor, aka Rema, earned a Guinness World Record in 2022 when his global hit “Calm Down” topped the Official Middle East & North Africa Chart—becoming the very first song to achieve that feat.
https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2023/5/remas-calm-down-becomes-first-ever-no-1-hit-on-the-official-mena-chart-747487
5. Bose Omolayo – Heaviest Para Powerlift in the –79 kg Category (2021)
At the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games (held in 2021 due to COVID-19), Bose Omolayo broke a Guinness World Record when she lifted 144 kg in the –79 kg category, solidifying her place among Nigeria’s strongest athletes.
6. Gbenga Ezekiel – Most Skips in One Minute on One Leg (2023)
In February 2023, Gbenga Ezekiel set the Guinness World Record for the most skips in one minute on one leg, performing an incredible 278 skips. He later added another record for “most double under skips in one minute on one leg.”
https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/614260-most-double-under-skips-in-one-minute-on-one-leg
7. Folashade Oluwafemiayo – Heaviest Para Powerlift (Double Record holder) (2024, 2012)
In 2012 Nigeria's Folashade Oluwafemiayo had to settle for a silver medal in the women's -75 kg class at the Paralympic Games in London, UK, on 3 September 2012, but earlier that same day she completed a record lift of 148 kg. Competitors are classified by bodyweight alone in Paralympic powerlifting, so athletes with different impairments compete for the same medals. Also in 2024 the heaviest Paralympic powerlift (+86 kg, female) is 167 kg (368 lb 2 oz), achieved by Folashade Oluwafemiayo (Nigeria) at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, France, on 8 September 2024.
https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/116295-heaviest-powerlift-86-kg-female
https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/104759-heaviest-powerlift-75-kg-female
8. Bayo Omoboriowo – Largest Photo Book (2021)
Official photographer to Nigeria’s presidency, Bayo Omoboriowo, published “Discover Nigeria” in September 2021, which holds the Guinness World Record for the largest photo book measuring 60 square metres in size.
https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/largest-photo-book
9. Chukwuebuka Ezugha & Victor Richard Kipo – Most Consecutive Football Passes (2022)
In 2022, two young Nigerians—Chukwuebuka Ezugha and Victor Richard Kipo—set a Guinness World Record for the most consecutive football passes between the head and soles (team of two) with an amazing 252 passes.
https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/692152-most-consecutive-passes-of-a-football-soccer-ball-between-the-head-and-soles-t
10. Fola David – Largest Drawing by an Individual (2024)
In November 2024, Nigerian artist and medical doctor Fola David entered the Guinness World Records by creating the largest individual drawing—a massive map of Nigeria measuring 850 square metres, celebrating the country’s unity and diversity.
https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2024/11/nigerian-doctor-and-artist-creates-worlds-largest-drawing-to-celebrate-countrys-culture
Final Thoughts
These records show that Nigerians excel in diverse fields—music, sports, arts, and creativity. They are proof that with determination and boldness, the world can take notice of what Nigerians bring to the global stage.
Every year, more Nigerians attempt to break boundaries. Don’t be surprised if another record-shattering Nigerian feat soon makes it to the Guinness World Records list.
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