LAGOS, Nigeria — Celebrity chef Hilda Baci has completed her latest culinary challenge — cooking what is believed to be the world’s largest pot of jollof rice — as she seeks recognition from the Guinness World Records (GWR).
The feat, achieved at Lagos’ Eko Hotel and Suites on Friday, September 12, 2025, drew thousands of spectators, food enthusiasts, and content creators to witness a moment that has been described as another milestone for Nigerian cultural pride.
Congratulating Baci, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said her determination and execution reflected the best of the Nigerian spirit.
Delivering the message through Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, Director-General of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria, Idris described the achievement as “another demonstration of Nigeria’s global excellence.”
“The Federal Government lauds Hilda Baci’s extraordinary effort in putting Nigeria once again on the global map. Her dedication to excellence and her unrelenting pursuit of greatness exemplify the Nigerian spirit that the world has come to appreciate,” he said.
He added that the administration would continue to support projects that showcase Nigerian creativity and culture.
“We recognise and celebrate Nigerians like Hilda Baci who serve as ambassadors of our nation’s capabilities, talents, culture, and food,” he said.
The minister praised her adherence to hygiene and preparation standards, describing them as “the quality and integrity that define Nigerian excellence,” and urged young Nigerians to emulate her discipline.
Baci, who gained international acclaim in 2023 after cooking non-stop for 93 hours to set the Guinness World Record for the longest cooking marathon, returned with an even more ambitious attempt.
Using a six-metre-wide, custom-built pot capable of holding 22,619 litres, she announced plans to cook 250 bags of rice, feeding over 20,000 registered attendees.
By Friday afternoon, the atmosphere resembled a festival, with music, vendors selling snacks and meals, and social media influencers capturing the crowd.
Security officers and medical personnel were deployed to manage the large gathering.
The effort highlighted the symbolic power of jollof rice, a dish that is a cultural staple across West Africa and a point of rivalry between Nigeria and Ghana.
For many Nigerians, Baci’s record attempt was not just about culinary skill but about cultural pride and global recognition.
Once Guinness World Records certifies the feat, Nigeria could officially claim another place in culinary history.
