IBADAN, Nigeria – In an extraordinary display of endurance and literary passion, 27-year-old Samson Ajao has etched his name into the Guinness World Records (GWR) by completing the world’s longest marathon reading aloud.
Ajao, a native of Ibadan, Nigeria, shattered the previous record by reading continuously for an astonishing 215 hours – equivalent to nearly nine full days. The feat was officially confirmed by GWR in a statement released on Wednesday.
The young Nigerian’s accomplishment eclipses the previous record of 124 hours, set by Rysbai Isakov of Kyrgyzstan in 2022, by an impressive margin of 91 hours.
“It’s an incredible feeling to have achieved this,” Ajao told reporters after his record-breaking performance. “I hope this inspires other Nigerians to pursue their dreams, no matter how challenging they may seem.”
Ajao’s achievement adds to a growing list of world records set by Nigerians in recent months. This surge in record-breaking attempts was sparked by Hilda Baci’s famous cook-a-thon last year, which seems to have ignited a nationwide passion for pushing the boundaries of human endurance.
GWR praised Ajao for his dedication and the cultural impact of his achievement, noting that his record-breaking feat has inspired his community and set a new benchmark for what can be achieved through determination and perseverance.
Tunde Onakoya, who holds the Guinness World Record for the longest marathon chess game, congratulated Ajao on his feat.
