On a vibrant Friday morning, the 12 of September 2025 in Lagos, Nigeria’s culinary queen, Hilda Baci, once again stepped into the spotlight, this time with a pot so massive it could feed a small city. The Guinness World Record holder, who stunned the world in 2023 with her 93-hour cooking marathon, officially launched her latest feat: cooking the world’s largest pot of Nigerian jollof rice.
The event, dubbed the “Gino Jollof Festival,” was hosted at the Eko Hotel and Suites in partnership with the seasoning brand Gino. Originally slated for Muri Okunola Park, the venue was changed due to overwhelming interest. And rightly, According to Daily Post, over 20,000 people registered to attend, with Gen Zs, millennials, food lovers, and celebrities pouring in to witness history in the making.
This wasn’t just any pot. It was a custom-built steel vessel measuring six metres wide and six metres tall, capable of holding nearly 23,000 litres of food. Into it went 250 bags of rice, roughly 4,000kg, alongside 500 cartons of tomato paste and 600kg of onions. The pot itself took a team of 300 people two months to manufacture, a testament to the scale and ambition of the project. BBC News Reported
Before the burners were lit, Hilda and her mother shared a quiet, emotional moment of prayer, asking for strength and endurance. The scene, led by Pastor Bolaji Idowu of Harvesters International Christian Centre, drew cheers and tears from the crowd. It was a reminder that behind every great achievement is a foundation of faith, family, and community.
Jollof rice is more than a dish it’s a cultural icon across West Africa. Simmered in a rich tomato-based sauce and often served with meat or seafood, it’s a staple at celebrations, street corners, and family tables. For Hilda, this record attempt wasn’t just about size; it was about pride.
“We are the giant of Africa, and jollof is a food that everybody knows Africans for,” she told BBC Pidgin. “It would make sense if we had the biggest pot of jollof rice. It would be nice for the country.” Her words resonated deeply. In a time when Nigeria faces economic and social challenges, this event offered a moment of unity, joy, and national pride. It was a celebration of resilience, creativity, and the power of food to bring people together.
The festival wasn’t just about cooking, it was a full-blown cultural event. Social media influencers like Enioluwa Adeoluwa, Tomike Adeoye, Folagade Banks, and Veekee James were on hand to cheer her on, amplifying the excitement across platforms. Attendees were treated to music, dance, and, of course, generous servings of the record-breaking jollof rice.
Hilda herself was hands-on throughout the process. “Yes, I can officially confirm this pot is squeaky clean! I rolled up my sleeves and washed it myself,” she wrote, adding a touch of humor and humility to the monumental task.
While the dish has been cooked and served, the official Guinness World Record validation is still pending. Photo and video evidence will be submitted for review, and if approved, Hilda will once again etch her name into the annals of culinary history.
But even without the certificate, the impact is undeniable. Hilda Baci has once again shown that with vision, preparation, and community support, anything is possible. Her journey, from winning a jollof competition in 2021 to becoming a national sensation in 2023, is a story of grit, grace, and greatness.
As Nigeria watches and waits for Guinness to confirm the record, one thing is certain: Hilda Baci has already won the hearts of millions.
For more information, Daily Post Nigeria, BBC News, Legit.ng, and Punch Nigeria.
