Nigerian Woman Completes 144-Hour Bible Reading Marathon, Awaits Guinness World Records Verification

A Nigerian woman, Habibat Salawudeen Ihiovi-Jack, has completed a 144-hour Bible reading marathon in an attempt to set a new Guinness World Record, with the feat now awaiting official verification by Guinness World Records (GWR).

Ihiovi-Jack concluded the six-day endurance challenge on June 29 after reading the Holy Bible aloud continuously in accordance with Guinness World Records guidelines, which permit only limited breaks for essential needs.

The marathon, themed “144 Hours in the Word,” commenced on June 22 at the Novotel Hotel in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

According to the organisers, the initiative was conceived to inspire greater commitment to Bible study while demonstrating the discipline and perseverance required to complete an extended public reading.

Throughout the exercise, Ihiovi-Jack received support from family members, friends, church members and other well-wishers. Videos shared on social media showed her reading from a lectern as a digital timer tracked the duration of the challenge.

Organisers disclosed that the project was first conceived in June 2022 and underwent several years of planning before the official attempt.

Her church, Summit Bible Church in Port Harcourt, also mobilised support for the event. Senior Pastor Andy Osakwe of Summit Bible Churches Worldwide said the initiative was intended to promote engagement with God’s Word rather than focus solely on breaking a world record.

“It is a project designed to exalt God’s Word and encourage believers to study the Scriptures,” Osakwe said.

The attempt joins a growing list of Guinness World Records pursuits by Nigerians, particularly in endurance categories that have attracted significant public interest in recent years.

In 2024, Nigerian reader Samson Ajao was recognised by Guinness World Records for completing the longest marathon reading aloud after reading continuously for 215 hours, surpassing the previous 124-hour record set by Rysbai Isakov in 2022.

Unlike Ajao’s record, Ihiovi-Jack’s attempt focused exclusively on the continuous public reading of the Holy Bible under Guinness World Records regulations.

Guinness World Records requires all record attempts to undergo a comprehensive verification process after organisers submit supporting evidence, including video recordings, witness statements and official timing documentation.

If the attempt satisfies all the requirements for the category under which it was submitted, Ihiovi-Jack’s achievement will be officially recognised and entered into the Guinness World Records database.