Habibat Salawudeen Ihiovi-Jack, a Nigerian woman, is trying to break the Guinness World Record for the longest Holy Bible reading marathon by reading nonstop for 144 hours in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The record attempt, dubbed “144 Hours in the Word,” started on June 22 at the Novotel in Port Harcourt and is scheduled to end on July 2 in accordance with official Guinness World Records guidelines.
Habibat entered the last phase of the endurance challenge on Saturday after surpassing the 100-hour mark.
Digital timers tracked her progress as she read aloud from a lectern and at a desk in videos posted online. Throughout the event, supporters cheered her on.
The organizers claim that the attempt is being carried out in accordance with Guinness World Records rules, which mandate constant reading aloud with only brief pauses allowed for necessities.
According to Habibat, a member of The Summit Bible Church in Port Harcourt, the challenge is a religious endeavor meant to encourage a closer relationship with the Bible.
Dr. Andy Osakwe of Summit Bible Churches Worldwide, her senior pastor, also supported the endeavor, stating that it was a spiritual endeavor meant to uplift God’s Word and encourage believers rather than merely an attempt to set a world record.
As part of the increasing number of Nigerians attempting endurance records, the challenge has garnered support from friends, family, and churchgoers. It has also garnered attention on social media.
Her attempt comes months after Nigerian Samson Ajao was officially recognized by Guinness World Records in 2024 for breaking the world record for the longest marathon reading aloud.
The 27-year-old from Ibadan broke the previous record of 124 hours set by Rysbai Isakov of Kyrgyzstan in 2022 by reading nonstop for 215 hours, or almost nine days.
We wish her all the best in this incredible journey. May she find strength, inspiration, and fulfillment as she takes on this remarkable challenge. We’re all rooting for her and cheering her on every step of the way!
