Nigerian celebrity chef Hilda Effiong Bassey, better known as Hilda Baci, has once again etched her name into the Guinness World Records, this time with a feat that touches the very heart of West African culinary pride: Jollof rice.
Over the weekend on Victoria Island, Lagos, Baci led a team of cooks in preparing what Guinness has now confirmed as the largest serving of Nigerian-style Jollof rice ever made, weighing an astonishing 8,780 kilograms.
The record attempt unfolded in a specially built pot measuring nearly six metres across, large enough to hold more than 22,000 litres. Over nine hours, Baci and her crew turned tonnes of raw ingredients into a steaming dish that symbolised not only culinary ambition but also national pride.
Jollof rice is far more than a meal. Across West Africa — in Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, and beyond — it carries cultural weight, sparking friendly rivalries about which country makes it best. Baci’s attempt tapped into that spirit, positioning Nigerian Jollof at the centre of a global stage.
The dish drew on 4,000 kilograms of basmati rice, nearly 600 kilograms of onions, 750 kilograms of oil, and hundreds of cartons of tomato paste, alongside meats and spices. By the time the pot was ready, the event had drawn thousands of spectators, some sampling the record-breaking servings.
“This is not just about setting a record,” Baci told reporters. “It is about celebrating who we are, our food, and our culture. Jollof is a symbol of joy in Nigeria, and I’m proud to have shown the world just how big our joy can be.”
Guinness World Records officials confirmed the record on 15 September 2025, validating measurements and ensuring the dish met their strict criteria. Among those rules: rice had to make up at least 80 percent of the final weight.
The confirmed figure — 8,780 kg of cooked Jollof rice — places the record securely in Nigerian hands.
This is not Baci’s first time in the global spotlight. In 2023, she gained international recognition after cooking continuously for 93 hours and 11 minutes, breaking the record for the longest cooking marathon by an individual. That effort made her a household name, earning admiration both at home and abroad.
With the new Jollof record, Baci demonstrates a flair for going beyond personal achievement to feats that bring a community together. In Lagos, the record-breaking pot was more than food — it was a festival, with music, dancing, and national pride on display.
While debates over who makes the best Jollof rice may never be settled, Baci’s triumph has ensured that Nigeria’s culinary creativity is recognised on the world stage.