Celebrity chef Hilda Baci, on Friday, moved closer to securing a Guinness World Records recognition by cooking the largest pot of jollof rice. The record-setting attempt took place at Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos, using a custom-built 22,619-litre pot.
Congratulating her on the feat, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described Baci’s effort as “another demonstration of Nigeria’s global excellence.” Speaking through the Director-General of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria, Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, Idris extended President Bola Tinubu’s best wishes, calling her achievement a “collective national victory.”
“The Federal Government lauds Hilda Baci’s extraordinary effort in putting Nigeria once again on the global map,” he said. Idris further pledged government support for initiatives that promote Nigerian excellence abroad, urging young Nigerians to emulate Baci’s discipline and hard work.
Baci, who used a six-metre-wide custom-built pot, announced that over 20,000 people had registered to attend the event. She planned to cook 250 bags of rice, with servings made available to attendees once the massive dish was completed. The venue transformed into a mini food festival, with vendors offering popular Nigerian snacks, meals, and drinks, while content creators captured the vibrant crowd.
Jollof rice, a staple across West Africa, has long been a cultural marker of pride, particularly in Nigeria and Ghana, whose rivalry over the dish continues to spark spirited debate.
