Nigerian Sets World Record After Reading Out Loud For 215 Hours

Samson Ajao from Osogbo, Osun State, has broken the previous record of 124 hours for the longest marathon reading aloud, set in 2022 by Rysbai Isakov from Kyrgyzstan. Ajao read continuously from various published works, adhering to Guinness World Records (GWR) guidelines that allowed him no more than a 30-second pause between readings.

Over the course of his record-breaking attempt, Ajao read approximately 100 books, covering a broad range of topics such as finance, sales, management, leadership, politics, health, and mental wellness. His goal was not only to set a new record but also to promote literacy and inspire a stronger reading culture in Nigeria.

Throughout the marathon, Ajao attracted a significant audience, including notable figures such as Ngozi Adeleke, Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, and Dipo Eluwole, the state’s Education Commissioner.

According to GWR, participants in 'longest marathon' records are allowed five minutes of rest for every hour of activity, which Ajao accumulated into two hours of rest per day. During these breaks, he could eat, sleep, use the bathroom, or change his clothes.

Reflecting on his achievement, Ajao said, "Even when it’s tough, you have to keep going to meet your target." Prior to his attempt, he consulted with medical professionals to choose foods and drinks that would help preserve his voice and minimize the need for toilet breaks.

After successfully completing the “read-a-thon,” Ajao and his supporters celebrated with a parade through the streets, joined by his proud parents.

This marathon reading record has a long history, beginning in 1987 when Englishman Adrian Hilton set the first record by reciting the complete works of Shakespeare in a “bard-a-thon” that lasted 110 hours and 46 minutes. The title changed hands several times, with Nepal’s Deepak Sharma Bajagain holding it in 2008 with a time of 113 hours and 15 minutes, before Rysbai Isakov extended it by nearly 11 hours.

Samson Ajao’s remarkable feat not only surpasses these earlier achievements but also stands as one of the longest marathon records in GWR history, rivaled in recent years only by DJ Faber Moreira’s 10-day DJ-ing marathon.