Nigeria has once again taken the global stage with an extraordinary culinary achievement, as celebrated chef Hilda Baci has officially broken the Guinness World Record for cooking the largest ever pot of jollof rice in Lagos. The monumental feat, confirmed by Guinness World Records (GWR) on social media, saw the iconic Nigerian dish weigh in at an astonishing 8,780 kilograms, making history not just for Nigeria but for the entire African continent.
The record-breaking attempt unfolded in front of thousands of cheering supporters who gathered to witness what would become a defining moment for Nigerian food culture. After nine hours of nonstop cooking, the chef and her team successfully prepared the massive dish using a custom-made pot capable of holding up to 23,000 litres. The scale of the project was so immense that it nearly suffered a setback when the pot buckled while being hoisted onto a crane to be weighed. Fortunately, none of the rice spilled, ensuring the integrity of the attempt.
Baci expressed heartfelt gratitude to her team and to Nigerians everywhere for their unwavering support, declaring: “This moment isn’t just mine, it belongs to all of us. We made history together, for Nigeria, for Africa, and for everyone who believes in the power of food to bring us closer.” She described the record as one built on unity, love, and collective strength, highlighting how food continues to play a vital role in fostering community and pride.
The historic pot of jollof rice was prepared with 4,000 kilograms of rice, 500 cartons of tomato paste, 600 kilograms of onions, 168 kilograms of goat meat, and a mix of spices. Ten chefs in red uniforms assisted Hilda Baci, wielding long wooden spoons to stir the giant dish throughout the marathon session. Once complete, the jollof rice was shared with the large crowd of supporters and passersby who had gathered to witness the once-in-a-lifetime event.
The construction of the enormous steel vessel used for the cooking was an engineering feat in itself. A team of 300 people spent two months building the pot, which was specially designed to withstand extreme heat and hold thousands of litres of food. Even when one of its legs gave way during the weighing process, the determination of Baci and her team ensured that the challenge was not derailed.
This is not Hilda Baci’s first time making headlines with Guinness World Records. In 2023, she rose to international fame when she secured the record for the longest cooking marathon, clocking in at an exhausting 93 hours and 11 minutes of nonstop cooking. Prior to that, in 2021, she also won a prestigious competition for her signature take on Nigeria’s beloved jollof rice. These achievements have cemented her reputation as one of Africa’s most ambitious and inspiring chefs.
Speaking about her motivation for attempting such a bold challenge, Baci told BBC Pidgin that the idea took nearly a year of planning. She explained: “We [Nigerians] are the giant of Africa, and jollof is a food that everybody knows Africans for. It would make sense if we had the biggest pot of jollof rice, it would be nice for the country.”
Her achievement has been widely celebrated across Nigeria and beyond, with many praising her not only for her cooking skills but also for her determination, creativity, and resilience. Beyond the record itself, the event symbolized national pride and cultural identity, highlighting Nigeria’s position as a leader in African cuisine.
With this record, Hilda Baci has once again placed Nigeria on the world map, showing that food is more than just nourishment; it is a powerful tool for unity, cultural diplomacy, and global recognition. Her triumph demonstrates the boundless possibilities of passion and teamwork, and her legacy is already inspiring the next generation of African chefs to dream bigger and push beyond limits.
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