25 Guinness World Record holders from Nigeria

Welcome to Legit Explore, today we’ll update you on 25 guinness world record holders from Nigeria.

Both young and old Nigerians have broken Guinness World Records and are now proud owners of the Records thanks to their tenacity and dedication.

No matter their age, gender, or race, anyone can attempt to hold a Guinness World Record as long as they are willing to put out the necessary work.

Here are 25 Guinness World Records holders from Nigeria:

• HILDA BACI

On May 15, 2023, Nigerian chef Hilda Baci beat the record for the longest cooking period. Chef Lata Tondon’s record of 87 hours, 45 minutes, and 00 seconds was broken in 2019 by Hilda Baci in Rewa, India.

• REMA

Rema, a musician from Nigeria, broke a Guinness World Record in May 2023 by becoming the first artist to top the MENA charts. 

When Calm Down was released on February 11, 2022, it became one of the tracks on Spotify with the fastest tally of over 100 million listens. 

Rema is the first artist to top the MENA (Middle Eastern and North Africa) chart thanks to this song, which has been inducted into the Guinness Book of Records.

• DJ YIN

In October 2021, Nigerian DJ Oyinka Asu-Johnson, also known as DJ Yin, broke the world record for the longest DJ set. She beat the record after running her performance at The Grill by Yanna in Ikoyi, Lagos, for 243 hours, 30 minutes.

A Nigerian named DJ Obi previously held the record when he performed nonstop for 230 hours at the Sao Cafe in Lagos, Nigeria. In Dublin, 2014, Polish DJ Norbert Selmaj set the previous record of 200 hours, which was broken by Dj Obi.

• KAFFY

Kafayat Oluwatoyin Shafau, better known by her stage name Kaffy, is a Nigerian dancer, choreographer, dance teacher, and fitness coach.

At the Nokia Silverbird Danceathon in 2006, she broke the record for the “Longest Dance Party” in the Guinness World Records.

• ADEOYE AJIBOLA

At the Paralympic Games in Barcelona, Spain, on September 6, 1992, Adeoye Ajibola of Nigeria raced the men’s 100 metres in 10.72 seconds. 

Ajibola competes in the T46 division, which is for sportspeople who have a condition that affects their arms or legs, including amputees.

• JOY ONAOLAPO

Joy Onaolapo of Nigeria captured the women’s -52 kg gold medal with a lift of 131 kg on September 1 at the Paralympic Games in London, United Kingdom.

• YAKUBU ADESOKAN

On August 30, 2012, Yakubu Adesokan of Nigeria heaved 180 kg in the men’s -48 kg powerlifting event at the Paralympic Games in London, United Kingdom.

• WIZKID

As of December 16th, 2016, “One Dance” by Canadian artist Drake, starring Wizkid and Kyla, became the first song on Spotify to exceed one billion streams.

• FLORA UGWUNWA

Flora Ugwunwa of Nigeria threw the female F54 javelin the longest, 20.25 metres, on September 13, 2016.

• TUEDON MORGAN

Tuedon Morgan of Nigeria ran a half marathon in the quickest time ever—62 days, 12 hours, 58 minutes, and 49 seconds—from 8 February to 12 April 2015. She completed the race on all seven continents and in the North Pole.

• FOLASHADE OLUWAFEMIAYO

Folashade Oluwafemiayo of Nigeria lifted 152.5 kg (336 lb 3 oz) in the -86 kg division at the World Para Powerlifting Championships in Tbilisi, Georgia, on December 3, 2021.

On September 3, 2012, at the Paralympic Games in London, United Kingdom, she finished second in the women’s -75 kg division, although earlier that day she set a record by lifting 148 kg.

• LUCY EJIKE

At the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on September 11, 2016, Lucy Ejike of Nigeria performed the heaviest powerlift for a female competitor weighing -61 kg, lifting 142 kg.

She won gold at the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens, Greece, on September 20, and her lift of 127.5 kg in the women’s -44 kg event has stood since then as well.

• LAURITTA ONYE

The longest shot put by a female F40 athlete is 8.40 metres, which was recorded by Lauritta Onye of Nigeria on September 11, 2016, at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

• BLESSING OKAGBARE

Between 3 July 2010 and 31 August 2018, Blessing Okagbare (Nigeria) participated in 67 Diamond League competitions in the 100-meter, 200-meter, and long jump events.

• VINCENT OKEZIE

Vincent Okezie (Nigeria) performed 10 consecutive backward handsprings with a football (soccer ball) between his legs on March 11, 2022, in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom.

In addition, on March 11, 2022, in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom, Nigeria, he joined Chukwuebuka Ezugha and Victor Richard Kipo in breaking the record for the most consecutive passes of a football (soccer ball) between the head and soles while balancing on a person, which stands at 129.

• FELA KUTI

Over the course of a solo career spanning 23 years, Fela Kuti released 46 albums. The first and last solo albums were created in 1969 and 1992, respectively.

• MODENINE

Hip Hop World Magazine launched The Headies (formerly known as the Hip Hop World Awards) in 2006 to recognise outstanding achievement in Nigerian music. 

Rapper Modenine, whose real name is Babatunde Olusegun Adewale from Nigeria, was born in Britain. He has received nine Headies awards, including best rap album for Malcolm IX – The Lost Sessions in 2006, best rap single for “Cry” in 2007, and seven “Lyricist on the Roll” honours from 2006 to 2013 (appropriately enough).

• DAVID OMUEYA DAFINONE

Between 1986 and 1999, five members of the Senator David Omueya and Cynthia Esella Dafinone families—three sons and two daughters—graduated as members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. 

In 1963, their father also enrolled in the same organisation. Chartered accountants D O Dafinone Co. is where Igho Omueya Dafinone, Ede Omueya Dafinone, and Duvie Omueya Dafinone are currently employed. Living in London are Daphne Omueya Dafinone and Joy Ufuoma Dafinone.

• MFON UDOH

Jude Aneke (Nigeria) set the previous record in 2010–11 with 20, but Mfon Udoh (Nigeria) broke it in 2013–14 with 23 goals for Enyimba in the Nigerian Premier League. Udoh’s first campaign with Enyimba after joining from Akwa United FC.

• BAYO OMOBORIOWO

The largest photo book was produced in Abuja, Nigeria, by TheJTAgency, Bayo Omoboriowo, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria (all Nigeria), and was confirmed on September 30, 2021. It measures 60.84 m2 (654 ft2 87 in2).

The book is a reproduction of the Discover Nigeria photo book.

• PETER AHO

On October 24, 2021, at the University of Lagos Cricket Oval in Nigeria, Peter Aho of Nigeria defeated Sierra Leone with six wickets for five runs in 3.4 overs. 

As the visitors crumbled to 70 all out, needing 91 to win, this featured a hat-trick with the final ball of the second over and the first two balls of the fourth.

• CHINONSO ECHE

Chinonso Eche (Nigeria) set the record for the most football (soccer ball) headers in a prone posture in a minute with 233 on October 13, 2021, in Ikot Ekpene, Nigeria.

Eche also holds the record for the quickest time to 1000 football (soccer) touches while carrying a ball on his head at Ikot Ekpene, Nigeria, on October 13, 2021, in 7 minutes and 46 seconds.

On November 14, 2019, in Warri, Nigeria, he also set the record for the most consecutive football (soccer) touches in a minute while carrying a ball on his head, with 111.

• STEPHEN KESHI

Stephen Keshi (born 31 January 1961 in Nigeria) is the youngest person to have won the Africa Cup of Nations as both a player and coach. On 10 February 2013, he led Nigeria to victory at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, at the age of 52 years and 10 days.

When he won the competition as a player in 1994, defeating Zambia 2-1 in the championship game, Keshi served as captain of the national team. Keshi managed his side to victory after defeating Burkina Faso 1-0 in the championship match.

• PAUL KEHINDE

Paul Kehinde of Nigeria lifted 221 kg (487 lb 3.5 oz) in the -65 kg division at the 9th Fazza 2018 World Para Powerlifting World Cup held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on February 19, 2018. At the World Championship in December 2017, Kehinde established a world record of 220.5 kg, which he later surpassed.

• BOSE OMOLAYO

At the World Para Powerlifting Championships in Tbilisi, Georgia, on December 2, 2021, Bose Omolayo of Nigeria lifted 144 kg (317 lb 7 oz), which is the record weight for a girl in the -79 kg division.