GWR: Nigerian sets world record after reading out loud for 215 hours
Samson Ajao read about a 100 books in total, covering subjects such as finance, sales, management, leadership, politics, and health.
The Guinness World Records (GWR) has announced 27-year-old Nigerian Samson Ajao as the new record holder for the world’s longest marathon reading aloud, clocking in at 215 hours – just one hour short of nine full days.
Ajao, from Osogbo in Osun State, beat the previous record of 124 hours set in 2022 by Rysbai Isakov (Kyrgyzstan).
To achieve this record, Ajao read aloud continuously from published works, with no more than a 30-second pause between items being read, GWR said in a statement on Wednesday.
He read around 100 books in total, covering subjects such as finance, sales, management, leadership, politics, health and mental wellness.
He attempted this record to promote literacy development and “inspire a reading culture” in Nigeria.
“As per our rules for all ‘longest marathon’ records, Samson accumulated five minutes of rest time after each hour of reading, totaling two hours per day. Only during these breaks could he eat, sleep, use the bathroom, or change his clothes,” the organisation said.
Some of the dignitaries who came to listen to Samson throughout his record attempt are, Osun State House of Assembly Speaker Ngozi Adeleke, Education Commissioner Dipo Eluwole, to mention but a few.
