“The Guinness World Records” is widely recognized as a prestigious reference book that documents extraordinary achievements accomplished by individuals across the globe.
In Nigeria, numerous exceptional individuals have achieved remarkable feats and secured their places in this renowned publication. Here are just a few notable Nigerians who have earned a spot in the Guinness World Records:
Phillip Solomon:
Phillip Solomon, a Nigerian on January 24, 2023, officially achieved the Guinness World Record remarkable feat by registering 153 consecutive skips on a single foot within a 30-second timeframe, surpassing the previous record held by Rasel Islam of Bangladesh, which stood at 145 skips.
Bose Omolayo:
Bose Omolayo, a Nigerian powerlifter, holds the Guinness World Record for the heaviest power lift by a female in the 79kg category. She lifted 144kg at the World Para Powerlifting Championships in Tbilisi, Georgia, on December 2, 2021.
Stephen Keshi:
Stephen Okechuckwu Keshi, a Nigerian footballer and manager, holds the record for being the youngest person to win the Africa Cup of Nations both as a player and coach. He won the tournament as a player in 1994 and as the head coach of Nigeria in Johannesburg, South Africa, on February 10, 2013.
Fela Anikulapo Kuti:
Fela Anikulapo Kuti, a Nigerian musician and political activist, is recognized by the Guinness World Records for recording 46 albums as a solo artist. His solo career spanned 23 years, from 1969 to 1992, and he is considered the pioneer of Afrobeat.
Bayo Omoboriowo:
Bayo Omoboriowo, a Nigerian photojournalist and documentary photographer, holds a Guinness World Record for the largest photo book. His book titled “Discover Nigeria” is a photo and text documentary about Nigeria’s culture and places, earning him the record in 2021.
Wizkid:
The song “One Dance” by Drake (Canada), featuring Wizkid and Kyla, became the inaugural track to achieve one billion streams on Spotify, as of December 16, 2016.
Blessing Okagbare:
Blessing Okagbare, a former Nigerian track and field athlete specializing in long jumps and sprints, holds the Guinness World Record for attending the most Athletes Diamond meetings. She participated in these meetings a total of 67 times between July 3, 2010, and August 31, 2018.
Lucy Ejike:
Lucy Ejike, a Nigerian Paralympic powerlifter, is a Guinness World Record holder for the heaviest power lift by a 61kg female. She achieved this record at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, lifting a total weight of 146kg.
Tuedon Morgan:
Tuedon Morgan, a Nigerian ultramarathon runner, holds the Guinness World Record for the fastest time to run a half marathon on each continent and the North Pole. She completed this feat in a total of 62 days, 12 hours, 5 minutes, and 45 seconds from February 8 to April 12, 2015.
Lauritta Onye:
Lauritta Onye, a Nigerian Paralympic athlete, holds the Guinness World Record for the fastest shot put by a female F40 athlete. She achieved a distance of 8.40 meters at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Rema:
Divine Ikubor, known as Rema, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and rapper. He made history in May 2023 as the first artist to top the MENA charts, setting a new Guinness World Record. His song “Calm Down” released on February 11, 2022, became the fastest song to surpass 100 million streams on Spotify.
Hilda Baci:
Hilda Effiong Bassiy, also known as Hilda Baci, is a Nigerian chef who holds the Guinness World Record for the longest cooking time. She broke the previous record of 87 hours and 45 minutes set in Rewa, India, in 2019 by Chef Tondon. Hilda cooked for a remarkable 93 hours and 11 minutes.
Kaffy:
Kafayat Shafau-Ameh, popularly known as Kaffy, is a Nigerian dancer and choreographer. She holds the Guinness World Record for the “Longest Dance Party” which took place in 2006, where she and her dance group danced for a total of 55 hours and 40 minutes.
DJ Obi:
DJ Obi, whose real name is Obi Ajuonuma, is a Nigerian disc jockey. He achieved the Guinness World Record for the “Longest DJ Set” in 2016 by playing non-stop for a remarkable 240 hours (10 days) at a Lagos nightclub.
Harrison Chinedu:
Harrison Chinedu, a Nigerian football freestyler, holds the Guinness World Record for the “Longest Distance Traveled with a Football on the Head.” He covered a distance of 48.04 kilometers (29.82 miles) while continuously balancing a football on his head in Lagos, Nigeria.
Olawunmi Treasures Bayode:
Olawunmi Treasures Bayode, a Nigerian student, broke the Guinness World Record for “Longest Marathon Reading Aloud” in 2018. He read aloud for a total of 120 hours (5 days) without sleep, reciting various books and passages.
Chidera Anemege (Chiddy):
Chidera Anemege, popularly known as Chiddy, is a Nigerian-American rapper. He set the Guinness World Record for the “Longest Freestyle Rap” in 2011 by rapping continuously for 9 hours, 18 minutes, and 22 seconds during an MTV O Music Awards event.
Anthony Chukwuebuka:
Anthony Chukwuebuka, a Nigerian acrobat, achieved the Guinness World Record for the “Longest Human Tunnel Traveled Through by a Skateboard” in 2017. He successfully skateboarded through a tunnel formed by 30 people, covering a distance of 30 meters (98.42 feet).
Chinedu Ijioma:
Chinedu Ijioma, also known as African Samuel Jackson, is a Nigerian actor. He holds the Guinness World Record for the “Longest Marathon Reading a Script” in 2018. He read a script non-stop for 123 hours and 30 minutes, showcasing his acting skills.
Abiola Ogunbiyi:
Abiola Ogunbiyi, a Nigerian artist, set the Guinness World Record for the “Largest Painting by Numbers” in 2017. The artwork measured 63.5 meters (208.33 feet) in length and 12.27 meters (40.26 feet) in height, and it involved the participation of hundreds of people in its creation.
Harrison Okene:
Harrison Okene, a Nigerian cook and sailor, holds the Guinness World Record for the “Longest Time Spent Underwater by a Survivor.” He survived for 2 days, 23 hours, and 40 minutes in an air pocket after his ship sank off the coast of Nigeria in 2013.
Olawale Ojo:
Olawale Ojo, a Nigerian singer, won the Guinness World Record for the “Longest Music Concert by an Individual” in 2018. He performed non-stop for a remarkable 10 days, 2 hours, 4 minutes, and 38 seconds, showcasing his musical talent.
Solomon Idowu:
Solomon Idowu, also known as “The Skating Priest,” achieved the Guinness World Record for the “Longest Distance Roller Skating in 24 Hours.” He covered a distance of 104.72 kilometers (65.09 miles) on roller skates in 2018.
Yakubu Adesokan:
Yakubu Adesokan, a Nigerian Paralympic powerlifter, holds the Guinness World Record for the “Heaviest Weight Lifted in Powerlifting.” He lifted a total weight of 281.5kg (620.9 lbs) in the 48kg weight class at the Paralympic Games in London in 2012.
Haruna Abdullahi:
Haruna Abdullahi, a Nigerian artist, set the Guinness World Record for the “Largest Bottle Cap Mosaic” in 2020. He created a mosaic artwork measuring 20.10 square meters (216.47 square feet) using over 200,000 bottle caps.
Ifeoma White-Thorpe:
Ifeoma White-Thorpe, a Nigerian-American student, achieved the Guinness World Record for the “Most College Acceptances” in 2017. She received acceptance letters from all eight Ivy League schools in the United States, along with several other prestigious universities.
Samuel Adejokun:
Samuel Adejokun, a Nigerian artist, holds the Guinness World Record for the “Largest Art Lesson.” He conducted an art lesson with 2,723 participants at the Nigerian National Stadium in Lagos in 2017.
Chidera Ota:
Chidera Ota, a Nigerian contortionist, holds the Guinness World Record for the “Most Full Body Revolution (Forward Roll) in One Minute.” She performed 39 full body revolutions in one minute, showcasing her incredible flexibility and agility.
Steve Harris:
Steve Harris, a Nigerian motivational speaker and author, achieved the Guinness World Record for the “Longest Speaking Marathon by a Team.” He led a team of speakers who collectively delivered speeches for 120 hours non-stop, inspiring and motivating the audience.
Anthony Irungu:
Anthony Irungu, a Nigerian software engineer, holds the Guinness World Record for the “Fastest Time to Solve a Rubik’s Cube Blindfolded.” He solved a Rubik’s Cube blindfolded in just 23.87 seconds, demonstrating his exceptional memory and problem-solving skills.
David Adeoye:
David Adeoye, a Nigerian athlete, achieved the Guinness World Record for the “Fastest Time to Run 100 Meters Backwards.” He completed the 100-meter race in just 13.6 seconds while running backwards, displaying his unique athletic ability.
Jide Odukoya:
Jide Odukoya, a Nigerian photographer, holds the Guinness World Record for the “Most Lit Photoshoots in 24 Hours.” He completed 26 fully lit photoshoots in various locations within a 24-hour period, capturing stunning images and showcasing his photography skills.
Grace Idowu:
Grace Idowu, a Nigerian weightlifter, achieved the Guinness World Record for the “Most Sumo Squat Lifts in One Minute.” She performed 27 sumo squat lifts in one minute, showcasing her strength and power.
Iyanya Mbuk:
Iyanya Mbuk, known simply as Iyanya, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and performer. He achieved the Guinness World Record for the “Longest Dance Party by an Individual” in 2014, dancing for a total of 25 hours non-stop.
Dare Adeboye:
Dare Adeboye, a Nigerian artist, holds the Guinness World Record for the “Largest Pencil Portrait Drawing.” He created a stunning portrait measuring 3.5 meters (11.48 feet) in length using only pencils.
Oluwafemi “Kunle” Ogunleye:
Oluwafemi “Kunle” Ogunleye, a Nigerian innovator and engineer, holds the Guinness World Record for the “Largest Collection of Waste Cooking Oil.” He collected and recycled over 1,300 liters (343 gallons) of waste cooking oil, promoting sustainable practices and environmental conservation.
Seyi “Shay” Awonuga:
Seyi “Shay” Awonuga, known by her stage name Seyi Shay, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and actress. She achieved the Guinness World Record for the “Longest Freestyle Marathon by a Female” in 2021, freestyling for a total of 13 hours, 2 minutes, and 15 seconds.
Funke Akindele-Bello:
Funke Akindele-Bello, a Nigerian actress and producer, holds the Guinness World Record for the “Most Viewed Nigerian Film Trailer on YouTube.” The trailer for her movie “Omo Ghetto: The Saga” garnered over 4.6 million views within a week of its release.
Pheelz:
Phillip Kayode Moses, professionally known as Pheelz, is a Nigerian music producer and songwriter. He achieved the Guinness World Record for the “Longest Music Production Marathon (Multiple Tracks)” in 2021, producing music for a continuous period of 120 hours.
Abiola Adeyemi Ajimobi:
Abiola Adeyemi Ajimobi, a Nigerian politician and former governor, holds the Guinness World Record for the “Longest Officially Sworn-In State Governor.” He served as the Governor of Oyo State, Nigeria, for two consecutive terms, from 2011 to 2019.
Isaac Utere:
Isaac Utere, a Nigerian artist, achieved the Guinness World Record for the “Largest Painting by a Single Artist.” His artwork titled “The Journey” measures 12.1 kilometers (7.52 miles) in length and is considered one of the longest paintings in the world.
Adeyemi Adewuyi:
Adeyemi Adewuyi, a Nigerian medical doctor, holds the Guinness World Record for the “Longest Marathon Surgery.” He successfully performed a surgical procedure for 72 hours and 30 minutes, showcasing his dedication and expertise in the field of medicine.
Chinedu Harrison:
Chinedu Harrison, a Nigerian professional football freestyler, holds the Guinness World Record for the “Longest Time Controlling a Football with the Sole While Balancing Another Football on the Head.” He maintained control of a football with his sole for 2 hours, 3 minutes, and 6 seconds while balancing another football on his head.
Chioma Omeruah:
Chioma Omeruah, popularly known as Chigul, is a Nigerian comedian, actress, and singer. She achieved the Guinness World Record for the “Longest Dance Marathon by an Individual” in 2022, dancing for a total of 12 hours, 3 minutes, and 8 seconds.
Emanuella Samuel:
Emanuella Samuel, known simply as Emanuella, is a Nigerian comedian, actress, and social media sensation. She holds the Guinness World Record for the “Youngest Comedian to Have a Successful Comedy Club Show.” She achieved this feat at the age of 7 years and 364 days.
Tobi Adegboyega:
Tobi Adegboyega, a Nigerian basketball player, achieved the Guinness World Record for the “Most Consecutive Basketball Free Throws.” He made 24 consecutive free throws, showcasing his accuracy and skill on the basketball court.
Arinze Oweh:
Arinze Oweh, a Nigerian artist, holds the Guinness World Record for the “Largest Shoe Art Mosaic.” He created a mosaic artwork using over 3,000 shoes, measuring 25 square meters (269 square feet), highlighting his creativity and artistic talent.
Abass Dodoo:
Abass Dodoo, a Nigerian percussionist, achieved the Guinness World Record for the “Most Drums Played in a Minute by an Individual.” He played a total of 804 drums in one minute, showcasing his rhythmic abilities and drumming skills.
Kafayat Shafau-Ameh:
Kafayat Shafau-Ameh, popularly known as Kaffy, is a Nigerian dancer, choreographer, and fitness coach. She holds the Guinness World Record for the “Longest Dance Party Marathon by an Individual.” She danced continuously for a total of 55 hours and 40 minutes.
Kunle Idowu:
Kunle Idowu, known as Frank Donga, is a Nigerian actor, comedian, and filmmaker. He achieved the Guinness World Record for the “Longest Online Stand-up Comedy Show (Individual)” in 2021, performing a stand-up comedy routine for 6 hours, 36 minutes, and 7 seconds.
Ahmed Idris:
Ahmed Idris, a Nigerian magician, holds the Guinness World Record for the “Most Magic Tricks Performed in One Minute.” He performed a total of 25 magic tricks in just 60 seconds, displaying his dexterity and expertise in the art of illusion.
Adetunwase Adenle:
Adetunwase Adenle, a Nigerian architect, achieved the Guinness World Record for the “Largest Footprint Made of Shoes.” He created an enormous footprint using 7,000 pairs of shoes, emphasizing the impact of sustainable practices and recycling.
however, these are merely a few examples of the incredible Nigerians who have made their mark on the global stage and proudly represented their country in the Guinness World Records. Their exceptional achievements serve as an inspiration to others, showcasing the remarkable potential that lies within the Nigerian population.
✍️ Yasmin and Temitope
