10 Nigerians in the Guinness Book of Records and their Titles

Many Nigerians have graced the Guinness Book of Records, bagging outstanding achievements and putting the country on the global scene for good. Although some of these achievements are many years old and some of the stars are long gone, they’re still celebrated to date.

From sportsmen to musicians and even a teacher, RNN highlights 10 Nigerians in the Guinness Book of Records and their broken records. Let’s get into it!

10. Stephen Keshi

Record- Youngest Person to Win AFCON as a Player and Coach

Stephen Keshi was a Nigerian footballer, coach, and manager during his lifetime (1962 – 2016). He captained the Nigeria National team in the early 90s and led them to various victories. He also served as Super Eagles coach from 2011 to 2014 when his contract expired and was not renewed.

Keshi broke the Guinness World Record when he won the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament as a player in 1994. 18 years later in 2013, he led the Nigerian National team to victory as a coach at the AFCON. These two amazing feats are responsible for Keshi’s name in the Guinness Book of Record.

9. Haruna Abdulazeez

Record- Most American Football Touches With the Feet in One Minute (Male)

Haruna Abdulazeez broke the world record in the “Most American Football Touches With the Feet in One Minute” category. Abdulazeez achieved 75 touches in Kano State, Nigeria on her independence day (October 1) in 2020.

This is not his first record title as he also earned a title as the most alternate hits with a tennis racket in one minute (male).

8. Kaffy

Record- Longest Dance Party

Kafayat Oluwatoyin Shafau, popularly known by her stage name, Kaffy, is a Nigerian dancer, choreographer, and fitness coach. She is the founder of Imagneto Dance Company and is regarded as the best dancer in Nigeria due to innovative techniques in teaching the art of dance.

Kaffy broke the “Longest Dance Party Record” when she danced for 52 hours and 3 minutes in 2006.

7. Adetunwase Adenle

Record- Biggest Painting by the Highest Number of People

Nigerian artiste and Teacher, Adetunwase Adenle is the next Nigerian on our list of Nigerians in the Guinness Book of Records. He broke the record for the Biggest Painting by the Highest Number of People in 2010.

The painting which measures 63.5m (208 ft 3.99 in) x 49.3 m (161 ft 8.94 in) was painted by 350 volunteers and is as big as a football field. The piece which represents the map of Nigeria was done to celebrate Nigeria at 50 and to inculcate artistic skills into the less privileged children.

Adenle holds 3 other titles which include the biggest post office stamp painting.

6. Bayode Treasures-Olawunmi

Record- Longest Reading Marathon

Nigerian book enthusiast, Bayode Treasures-Olawunmi is another Nigerian in the Guinness Book of Record. His record is quite enthralling to many as it is almost unbelievable.

He broke the record for the longest reading marathon when he read aloud for 120 hours non-stop in 2018. He is known to be an advocate for the reading culture in Nigerian kids and adults.

5. Peter Aho

Record- Best Bowling Figures in a T2OI Series

19-year-old Peter Aho (at the time) had his name in the Guinness Book of Records in 2021. He broke the record for the Best Bowling figures, taking six wickets for five runs in 3.4 overs.

Aho’s achievement is a big one for Nigeria as it was made during the six-match bilateral duel with Sierra Leone, organized by the Nigerian Cricket Foundation- a first of its kind.

4. Bayo Omoboriowo

Record- Largest Photo Book

Another personality on RNN’s list of Nigerians in the Guinness Book of Records is the popular Nigerian photographer, Bayo Omoboriowo. He set a new world record for the largest photo book on September 30, 2021.

The book is a recreation of the “Discover Nigeria” photo book and it measures 60.84 m² (654 ft² 87 in²). The feat was a joint achievement by TheJTAgency, Omoboriowo, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

3. David Omueya Dafinone

Record- Most Accountants in One Family

Nigerian accountant and politician, David Omueya Dafinone is another Nigerian with an amazing feat recognized in the Guinness Book of Records. The late chattered accountant held a record for having the most chattered accountants in one family.

Dafinone’s five children (Three sons and two daughters) are all qualified as members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. They achieved the feat between 1986 and 1999. Their father was equally a member of the same institution in 1963. The children’s names are Igho Omueya Dafinone, Ede Omueya Dafinone, and Duvie Omueya Dafinone, who work within the D O Dafinone Co. Chartered Accountants firm in Lagos. The other two, Daphne Omueya Dafinone and Joy Ufuoma Dafinone live in London.

2. Mfon Udoh

Record- Most Goals by a Player in a Single Season of the Nigerian Premier League

Most of the record breakers on this list have made achievements in the sports category. This speaks so well for Nigerian sports as it puts the country in global light in the world of sports. Another record breaker who makes our list of Nigerians in the Guinness Book of Records is the popular Football forward, Mfon Udoh.

Udoh broke the record for the “most goals scored by a player in a single season of the Nigerian Premier League”. He scored 23 goals for Eyimba in the 2013/14 NPFL, breaking the previous record of 20 by Jude Aneke in 2010/11.

1. Fela Kuti

Record- Most Studio Album Recordings Released

Late Nigerian musician and political activist, Fela Anikulapo Kuti is among the Nigerians who had their names in the Guinness Book of Records before their demise.

Fela broke the record of the most studio album recordings released, boasting of 46 albums as a solo artist over the course of a solo career spanning 23 years. The first solo album was recorded in 1969 and the last was recorded in 1992.

Nigerians in the Guinness Book of Records Summary

Nigerians, both at home and in the diaspora, have contributed to bringing honor to the country’s reputation so far with various achievements. Several indigenes have made outstanding achievements worthy of the Guinness World Record, however, not all of them are recognized.

The 10 people on this list, therefore, are record breakers who have been verified officially by the professional body and updated on their website. Here’s a recap of the 10 Nigerians in the Guinness Book of Records and their jaw-dropping achievements.

1. Fela Kuti
2. Mfon Udoh
3. David Omueya Dafinone
4. Bayo Omoboriowo
5. Peter Aho
6. Bayode Treasures-Olawunmi
7. Adetunwase Adenle
8. Kaffy
9. Haruna Abdulazeez
10. Stephen Keshi