Cook-a-thons, wash-a-tons, pray-a-thons and other marathons wagged tongues in 2023.

The hype that accompanied a Guinness World Record (GWR) attempt and subsequent win inspired many Nigerians to take the unconventional path to fame and presumed success.

Here are the top world record attempts by Nigerians in 2023.

1. Hilda Baci – Cook-a-thon

Hilda Baci’s highly publicised attempt and subsequent win for the longest cook-a-thon remains unforgettable. From Thursday, May 11, to Monday, May 15, the 27-year-old Nigerian chef cooked over 100 pots of food during her four-day kitchen stint and broke the record for the longest cooking marathon (individual), with a time of 93 hours 11 minutes.

2. Helen Williams – Longest wig

In November, Lagos-based wigmaker, Helen Williams broke the GWR for the world’s longest handmade wig after spending 11 days and over two million naira. The wig measured 351.28 metres.

3. Tonye Solomon – Most climbed steps with football on the head.

In September, GWR announced that Tonye had the most steps climbed on a ladder while balancing a football on the head. He achieved the feat by climbing 150 steps to the top of a 250-foot (76-metre) tall radio mast while expertly keeping control of the ball atop his head.

4. Philip Solomon – Most skips on one foot

In January, GWR announced that the record for most skips in 30 seconds on one foot (153) had been achieved by Philip Solomon in Akure, Ondo state.

5. Chef Dammy – Cook-a-thon

Damilola Adeparusi, a student from Ekiti State, had attempted to break Baci’s record for the longest cooking marathon by an individual. However, GWR stated that she was never recognised as the record holder.

6. Subair Enitan – Wash-a-ton

The OAU Wash-a-ton made headlines when a female student of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Subair Enitan, attempted to hand-wash clothes for 50 hours. She 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.

7. Chidinma Okafor – crochet-a-thon

The most recent GWR breaking attempt on the list is a crochet-a-thon. 30-year-old Chidinma Okafor commenced knitting a wedding gown of her own size on Sunday, December 24th till the 27th of December at GOGE Africa, Maryland Lagos.

Although comedian, Woli Arole, announced in June that he was attempting a 5,000-hour pray-a-thon, he later made a u-turn.