Throughout history, there have been records of extraordinary people. And with each era came prodigies better than the last. I’m our present time, a system of records has been put in place making it possible for the new generation to meet and gain motivation from the older ones. You can be popular, wealthy, and all that, but that would not merit your Guinness book of Records. Even with the difficulty involved, Nigeria can boast of about more than 30 persons making the list. Curious? Well just keep reading to meet about 10 of them
1. Wizkid
First on the list is Ayodgi Ibrahim Balogun which a lot of people know as Wizkid. He is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. Funnily enough, he has made waves in the entertainment industry; he was the first Nigerian musician to have over 1 million followers on Twitter in February 2014. Even with the numerous awards, he won- the Grammy, the Headies, and the Nigeria Entertainment Awards. it was his contribution to ‘one dance’ where he was featured by Drake. This made him make the Guinness world record as the first Afro beats artist to be in a collaboration where the track got one billion streams on Spotify.
2. Sandra Ikeji
Sandra is the CEO of Black dove Models, one of the leading commercial Modeling Agencies in Nigeria. Born and raised in a Catholic family from Nkwerre, Imo state; Sandra owns a Masters’s degree in regional planning where her agency offers ushering services to help add glamour to events. Now you’re probably curious as to how she made the Guinness World of records. Well , it’s quite surprising how she made history when she used 200 bridesmaids for her wedding on the 11th of January, 2020. This broke the record of the most bridesmaid to one bride.
3. Harrison Chinedu
Harrison Chinedu is an international footballer and a professional athlete. This talented Nigerian footballer made his country proud when he made the Guinness World Record for the farthest distance walk with a ball on his head. He walked a total distance of 48.04 kilometers in 6 hours and 15 minutes on the 6th of March 2016.
4. Kafayat Oluwatoyin Shafau
Popularly known by her stage name Kaffy, is a Nigerian dancer, choreographer, dance instructor, and fitness coach. Kaffy is one of the most popular dancers in Nigeria and is also known as the queen of choreography. She is one of the popular faces on this list as she has gone ahead to make a feat as a dancer. Kaffy alongside her team set the Guinness World Record for the Longest Dance Social gathering on the Nokia Silver bird Danceathon for 52 hours and 3 minutes without stopping in 2006.
5. DJ Obi
Obinna Levi Ajuonuma, professionally known as DJ Obi is a Nigerian disc jockey and Record’s official DJ. He began his career hosting the Open House Party radio program. He won Best World DJ at the 2011 Nigeria Entertainment Awards and was also nominated for the Future Awards Africa Prize for Creative Professional in 2016. He was able to break the world record for the longest-ever DJ set which he achieved over 240 hours at a Sao Café in Lekki, Lagos in 2016.
6. Symply Tacha
Given name, Anita Natacha Akide is a controversial housemate in the last edition reality TV show tagged Big Brother Naija. Notwithstanding, the fiery lady is a Vlogger, businesswoman, Instagram influencer, makeup artist, and now a reality TV Star. She drew attention through several ways, one of which was faking her death and was smart enough to drive fame to her budding business, ‘Everything Tacha’. Recently, the Guinness World Record recognized her for her achievement which is yet to disclose, but speculations are based on the fact that she’s has been the only African celebrity to have trended 60 times on Twitter which however made her the first and only person to achieve that worldwide.
7. Tuedon Morgan
Tuned on “Tee” Omatsola-Morgan, born 3 April 1973 is a Nigerian ultramarathon runner Born in Warri, Nigeria, Born in Warri, Nigeria. She is one of the most decorated female Nigerian marathon runners of her time she has won many accolades such as 2 Guinness world records which have been held for almost 2 years. Morgan is the World Record holder of being the fastest time for a woman to run a half marathon on each continent (10 days, 23 hours, and 37 minutes) and the fastest time for a woman to run a half marathon on each continent and the north pole (62 days, 12 hours, 58 minutes and 49 seconds). For someone who has a family and a day job, this just pushes Tee into the hall of Amazon.
8. Ayo Makun
Ayodeji Richard Makun, also known by his stage name A.Y, is a Nigerian actor, comedian, radio and TV presenter. He was born on 19 August 1971,and hails from Ifon, Ose local government in Ondo State. Comedian Ay Makun’s first produced movie “30 Days In Atlanta,” has been officially recognized by the 2017 Guinness World Records. The movie has been recognized as one of the films with the highest domestic gross in the territories of Bollywood, Nollywood and Hollywood. The comedy movie grossed 76million Naira seven weeks after it’s premiere, went on to bring in a box-office total of over 137million Naira, making it the highest grossing movie in the Nigerian cinema history. This is the first time ever that the Nigerian film industry which is one of the largest in the world, will be achieving such a tremendous success that will be registered by the ‘Guinness World Records’ since 1955 when it was first published.
9. Tobi Amusan
Oluwatobiloba Ayomide Amusan is a Nigerian track and field athlete who specializes in the 100 meters hurdles and also competes as a sprinter. She was born on 23 April, 1997 Ijebu Ode, Nigeria. She is the current World, Commonwealth and African champion in the 100 m hurdles, as well as the record holder in those three competitions. She won back to back Commonwealth and African titles in 2018 and 2022 in the 100 m hurdles and is also a two-time African Games champion in the event.
In 2021, Amusan became the first Nigerian athlete to win a Diamond League title as she took the 100 m hurdles trophy, breaking the then African record held by Glory Alozie in the process. She retained her title in 2022 setting the current world record of 12.12 seconds in the semifinal, followed up by a wind-assisted 12.06 s in the final of the 2022 World Championships 100 m hurdles. Her current world record is an encouragement to us as a nation that we still have talents that just need to be noticed and polished.
10. Stephen Keshi
I’m going to end this list with someone sensational. Legendary football icon Stephen Okechukwu Keshi was a Nigerian football defender and manager. He earned 60 caps for the Nigerian national football team, making him the nation’s second-most capped player at the time of his retirement. He also represented the country at the 1994 FIFA World Cup and the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations, captaining the Super Eagles to victory in 1994 African Cup of Nations. Keshi set a record in African football by being the first African coach to successfully qualify two African nations (Nigeria and Togo) to the World Cup Finals.
He was the youngest person to win the Africa Cup of Nations as a player and coach. Keshi was 52 years and 10 days old when he won the tournament as head coach of Nigeria at the FNB Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa, on 10 February 2013. Keshi was also captain of the national team when he won the tournament as a player in 1994, beating Zambia 2-1 in the final.
He also helped Nigeria become the first country to achieve an African Cup of Nations trophy and World Cup qualification, both in 2013.
On June 7, 2016 a great tragedy befell when Keshi had a heart attack and died en route to hospital in Benin city. We lost a legend that day.
11. Hilda Baci
Hilda Effiong is a talented and renowned Nigerian Chef who has captivated the hearts and taste buds of many with her culinary creations. She is the CEO and Head Chef of MyFoodbyHilda . She has broken the Guinness World Record for the longest cooking hours. Hilda broke the record which was previously held by Indian chef, Lata Tondon on Monday morning at 7:45 am. Tondon had made meals for 87 hours, 45 minutes, and 00 seconds.
