Nigerian Woman Completes 144-Hour Bible Reading Marathon for Guinness Record Attempt

(Habibat Salawudeen. Photo Credit: Yorùbá protege)

A Nigerian woman, Habibat Salawudeen Ihiovi-Jack, has completed a 144-hour marathon reading of the Holy Bible in an attempt to set a new Guinness World Record.

Habibat concluded the six-day challenge on Monday after reading continuously under Guinness World Records guidelines, which permit participants only limited breaks for essential needs.

The feat, tagged “144 Hours in the Word,” was conceived as a faith-based initiative to promote deeper engagement with the Scriptures and encourage Christians to cultivate a stronger commitment to Bible study.

According to supporters who shared videos of the event on social media, the record attempt began on June 22 at the Novotel in Port Harcourt and ended on June 29 after 144 hours of continuous reading.

A member of Summit Bible Church, Port Harcourt, Habibat reportedly embarked on the challenge following years of preparation that began in June 2022, marked by discipline, endurance and spiritual devotion.

Throughout the exercise, she was supported by family members, friends, church members and other well-wishers, with many gathering at the venue and following her progress online as digital timers tracked the countdown.

Speaking before the completion of the challenge, the Senior Pastor of Summit Bible Churches Worldwide, Dr Andy Osakwe, described the initiative as more than an attempt to break a world record.

According to him, the project was designed to exalt the Word of God and inspire believers to deepen their relationship with the Scriptures.

The marathon reading was conducted in accordance with Guinness World Records regulations, which require participants to read continuously aloud while observing only brief breaks for basic personal needs.

Habibat’s attempt comes after another Nigerian, Samson Ajao, was officially recognised by Guinness World Records in 2024 for the longest marathon reading aloud.

The Ibadan-born reader set the current record after reading continuously for 215 hours, surpassing the previous mark of 124 hours established in 2022 by Kyrgyzstan’s Rysbai Isakov.

Habibat’s latest achievement will now undergo the official verification process by Guinness World Records before any record can be formally confirmed.