IN recent years, an obsession with setting Guinness World Records (GWR) has gripped many Nigerian youth, thus creating a cultural craze that diverts time, energy and resources away from pursuits of real societal value. What began as a platform to celebrate human ingenuity and perseverance has, in Nigeria, increasingly become a race for notoriety. This is often at the expense of innovation in science, technology and the arts.
Rather than focusing on breakthroughs in fields like engineering, medicine or creative writing, the spotlight has shifted to record-breaking attempts that are sometimes trivial, risky or outright absurd. These range from non-stop kissing and cooking marathons to the longest twerking or crying sessions, all done in the name of fame rather than meaningful contribution to knowledge, culture or community development.
Rise of the “Record-a-thon” phenomenon
Between 2021 and 2024, at least 11 Nigerians earned Guinness World records. While some of these records showcased skill and endurance, many others bordered on the bizarre. For instance, Tunde Onakoya played chess for 60 hours straight in New York to secure the longest chess marathon title; Babajide Adebanjo set a record in Lagos for the longest twerking session, lasting three hours and 30 minutes; and Lisha Dachor painted 4,000 artificial nails in 72 hours.
In addition, Helen Williams attempted to create the longest wig in history; Tembu Ebere, in a dramatic display, tried crying continuously for seven days in 2023—so intensely that he experienced temporary blindness; Linda Bachi gained attention with a marathon cooking session, while Sugartee, a musician from Ekiti, proposed a 72-hour kissing marathon before authorities intervened; and a Lagos- based masseuse, Joyce Ijeoma, collapsed after massaging clients nonstop for 50 hours in pursuit of the longest massage record.
These examples show the trend’s double-edged nature: while some attempts draw admiration, others highlight the health risks, misplaced priorities and sensationalism surrounding this phenomenon.
Fame over substance
The craze for GWR titles creates a culture where fame is prized above substance. Young people see record-breaking as a shortcut to celebrity status rather than a platform for meaningful achievement. Unfortunately, this often overshadows areas that require intellectual rigour and long-term commitment—fields like medicine, technology, literature and environmental science.
Instead of inventing new technologies or producing ground-breaking research, energy is channelled into record-a-thons for inconsequential feats. This superficial engagement undermines deeper creative and scientific pursuits that could bring real progress to Nigeria and the continent at large.
Health risks, ethical concerns
Some record attempts come at a steep physical and psychological cost. Extreme exhaustion, injuries and even temporary health crises have accompanied several challenges. Tembu Ebere’s partial blindness during his cry-a-thon and Joyce Ijeoma’s collapse mid-massage illustrate how the obsession with endurance-based records can turn harmful.
Beyond health, there is also the erosion of moral and cultural values. Some record attempts lean toward sensationalism, trivialising serious issues and encouraging unhealthy competition for fame rather than fostering creativity, knowledge, or community service.
Critics argue that record-setting could be better harnessed for meaningful purposes if tied to educational, cultural or scientific goals. For instance, a marathon reading session to promote literacy or a record-breaking tree-planting initiative to combat climate change would align personal ambition with publicgood.
Similarly, creative records such as the largest collaborative artwork or the biggest cultural dance performance could preserve heritage while engaging communities in positive ways. The problem, therefore, is not ambition itself, but the direction it takes.
Conclusion
Nigeria’s fixation on Guinness World Records reflects a broader societal quest for quick fame and validation. However, without balance, it risks glorifying trivial achievements while neglecting the innovation and intellectual breakthroughs the nation desperately needs.
Rather than applauding feats with little long-term value, public and media attention should shift toward encouraging records and other forms of achievement that inspire creativity, advance knowledge and contribute meaningfully to society.