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Guinness World Records has officially announced Nigerian chef and entrepreneur Hilda Baci as a GWR Icon, making her the first Nigerian to ever receive the prestigious global recognition reserved for individuals whose influence goes beyond record-breaking achievements.
The announcement, made on Thursday, highlights her exceptional contribution to the global record-breaking community, as well as her role in inspiring a wave of record attempts across Nigeria and beyond.
Unlike standard Guinness World Records titles, the Icon status is awarded to individuals whose achievements are considered transformative, with lasting cultural and inspirational impact rather than just numerical records.
Hilda Baci, who already holds multiple Guinness World Records titles, rose to international prominence in 2023 after completing her widely celebrated cook-a-thon in Lagos, where she cooked continuously for 93 hours and 11 minutes. The feat drew global attention, massive media coverage, and widespread public support both online and offline.
Since then, her influence has continued to grow. In 2025, she went on to set additional mass-cooking records, further cementing her position as one of the most recognisable culinary figures to emerge from Africa in recent years.
Reacting emotionally in a video shared by Guinness World Records, Baci expressed gratitude and disbelief at how far her journey had taken her.
“I don’t know what to say… we started a movement. I did this. I don’t want to cry. It feels really good to know that things like this can happen to people like me,” she said.
She reflected on her journey, noting that while she had always believed in her dream, she never anticipated the scale of global recognition that would follow.
“I had so much faith in what I was doing, I never saw how far it could go, I never saw how much impact it would make. I definitely did not think there would come a time I would not have one but three… and now being named a Guinness World Record Icon. I am so grateful to God. This is for Nigeria, this is for all of us.”
Guinness World Records explained that the Icon title recognises individuals who embody ambition, resilience, creativity and long-term influence, noting that Baci’s journey perfectly reflects those values.
The organisation also traced her early beginnings in Abuja, where she assisted her mother in running a restaurant before pursuing higher education in sociology. After briefly exploring opportunities in television and acting, she eventually transitioned fully into the culinary industry in 2020, where her passion for food and entrepreneurship took centre stage.
Her breakthrough moment came with the cook-a-thon event held between May 11 and May 15, 2023, which turned her into a global sensation and sparked an unprecedented wave of interest in record-breaking across Nigeria. According to Guinness World Records, more than 1,500 Nigerians applied for record attempts shortly after her feat.
In September 2025, she further expanded her record-breaking portfolio in collaboration with Gino Nigeria, creating the largest serving of jollof rice in Victoria Island, Lagos. The massive dish weighed 8,780 kilograms and produced over 16,600 servings.
Speaking on her philosophy, Baci emphasised discipline and structure over raw passion, advising aspiring record breakers to focus on preparation and consistency.
“Preparation is everything. Passion alone is not enough,” she said, adding that proper planning, documentation and adherence to guidelines are key to success.
She also shared a motivational message about growth and persistence, stating: “Consistency beats talent. Systems beat hustle. And humility keeps you growing.”
Looking ahead, the award-winning chef revealed plans to expand her culinary brand internationally, with ambitions to take Nigerian cuisine to the United Kingdom, United States, Dubai and South Africa.
“If my journey gave someone else the courage to attempt something bold, then that means more to me than the title itself,” she said. “Records can be broken — that’s their nature. But inspiration, the ripple effect of belief, is what truly lasts.”
Guinness World Records concluded that Baci’s achievements have not only set benchmarks but have also inspired a new generation of Nigerians to pursue ambitious global goals, marking her as a true cultural trailblazer.
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