Despite the multi-dimensional challenges that faced Nigerians this year, one of the most notable trends that swept the country in 2023 was attempts by several people to challenge and break world records.

It all started in January with a 17- 17-year-old pupil, Philip Solomon, who attempted to break the Guinness World record for most skips on one foot in 30 seconds.

While this feat was less publicised, in May, a media frenzy followed another Guinness World Record-breaking attempt by Nigerian chef, Hilda Baci.

The restaurateur set out to beat the 87-hour record set by her Indian counterpart, Lata Tondon, for the world’s longest cooking time.

While Baci was not the first Nigerian to attempt a Guinness World Record in 2023, her feat received massive worldwide attention and led to the crash of GWR’s official website.

Below is a list of Nigerians who tried to set new world records in 2023.

1. Philip Solomon

In January 2023, a student of Oyemekun Grammar School Akure, Ondo State, Philp Solomon, made 153 skips on one foot in 30 seconds.

After obtaining approval from GWR, Kufeji began the marathon on July 5 and continued till July 13. Unfortunately, Kufeji’s attempt was not certified by GWR. The musician claimed his efforts were sabotaged by the head of his media team who misplaced some of the video clips made at the event.

In a statement shared via his Instagram page, Kufeji said, “The head of the media team sabotaged the success, (of the marathon) by not being able to account for over 120 missing edited video clips of the concert yet to be submitted, out of over 600 video clips (sic).”

2. Chinonso Eche

Fondly referred to as “Amazing Kid Eche”, the football prodigy has been breaking records since his first in 2019. Four years ago, Eche set a new GWR for most consecutive football touches in one minute while balancing a football on the head with 111 touches. After he made the feat, Eche promised it would not be his last and has kept his word.

The Warri indigene has set four new records since then. These include the fastest time to 1,000 football touches while balancing a ball on the head at 7 min 46 sec; most football headers in a prone position in one minute with 233 headers; and most football touches in a seated position while balancing a ball on the head in one minute, with 197 touches.

In February 2023, 14-year-old Eche went on to break his own 2019 record for the most consecutive football touches in one minute while balancing a football on the head. Eche achieved this with 133 touches while on the set of Lo Show Dei Record, in Milan, Italy.

3. Hilda Baci

Lagos-based restaurateur, Hilda Baci, set the internet ablaze after switching on her cooking gas on May 11, 2023, at exactly 4pm. In the space of hours, Nigerian netizens began to keenly follow her progress as she pressed ahead to the 96-hour goal.

Celebrities, politicians, influencers, and several well-wishers visited the venue at Amore Gardens Lekki, Lagos to watch history in the making. Baci hit her initial goal and surpassed it by another four hours on May 15 when she finally switched off the gas.

Baci was declared the World Record Holder for the longest cooking marathon by Guinness in June 2023 with a time of 93 hours 11 minutes. Baci’s record has since been broken by Irish chef, Alan Fisher, who cooked for 119 hours 57 minutes from September 28 to October 3, 2023.

4. Chef Dammy

Less than a month after Hilda Baci’s attempt, Ekiti-based Damilola Adeparusi began a 120-hour cook-a-thon. Also known as Chef Dammy, the 22-year-old quickly caught the attention of netizens. While some frowned at her attempt to break Baci’s yet-to-be-confirmed record at the time, others drummed support for her.

However, her attempt was never confirmed by the Guinness World Record because it was not officially registered.

5. Oluwatobi Kufeji

Nigerian musician, Oluwatobi Kufeji, is another ambitious Nigerian who

tried to break a GWR in 2023. Tagged the Praiseworship-a-Thon, Kufeji made an attempt to surpass the previous record for the longest singing marathon of 105 hours set by Indian singer, Sunil Waghmare, in 2012.

6. Tonye Solomon

The GWR-breaking attempts continued in September when Tonye Solomon, a student of the Chukwuebuka Freestyle Academy, moved to set a world record for most steps climbed on a ladder while balancing a football on the head.

To achieve this feat, the Bayelsa-born footballer climbed up 150 steps of a 250-foot tall radio mast situated at the compound of Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Bayelsa State Command. He was able to achieve his aim within 12 minutes 30 seconds. His feat was certified by the GWR on September 13, 2023.

7. Lola Mewu

Oyinlola Odumewu, professionally known as Lola Mewu, began an attempt for the longest painting time on October 28, 2023, at the Safe House, Adeola Hopewell Street, Eti-Osa, Lagos.

On October 31, she was cheered on by friends at the venue after a countdown to the 72-hour mark. Despite hitting the target, she continued to paint to exceed her unofficial record till she hit the 82-hour mark on November 1, 2023.

Mewu’s attempt is yet to be confirmed as at the time of filing this report. However, if the Lagos-based artist is successful, she will succeed her Belgian counterpart, Roland Palmaerts, who has held the record for the longest painting time by an individual for 10 years.

Palmaerts was certified as a Guinness World Record holder after painting from October 3 to October 5, 2013, in Arches, France.

8. Helen Williams

Professional wig maker, Helen Williams was also one of the several Nigerians who attempted and set a new world record in 2023. In November, the GWR announced that Williams was certified as the World Record Holder for the longest handmade wig.

After spending 11 days and over N200,000, the wigmaker made a 351.28 meters-long piece. The wigmaker could not find a venue to properly display the length and had to opt for the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway. Williams also used 1,000 bundles of hair, 12 cans of hair spray, 35 tubes of hair glue, and 6,250 hair clips to achieve the record.

9. Subair Enitan

A Student of Obafemi Awolowo University, Subair Enitan, displayed her laundry skills after attempting to hand-wash clothes for 50 hours.

The 200-level Linguistics and African Languages student began the Wash-a-thon challenge on November 24 and ended on November 27.

Her record is yet to be affirmed by the GWR as at the time of writing this report.

10. Mary Gold

In December, Nigerian TV host, Amuda Mariam, alias Mary Gold, attempted to break the Guinness World Record for the longest marathon television talk show.

Gold set out to speak with 100 guests within the 100-hour marathon. Several celebrities including Nigerian comic star Mr. Macaroni, Actor Hussein Azeez Omotayo, and BBN star, Adeoluwa Okusaga, were some of the few guests on the show.

Held in Lagos at Tunde Odekunle Street, off Coker Street, Ogba, the presenter started the challenge on December 16 and concluded it on December 20.

The record is currently held by NOVA24TV in a marathon hosted by Boris Tomai from September 24 to 27, 2023, in Ljubljana, Slovenia. (The PUNCH)

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