In a stunning display of endurance, focus, and literary passion, a Nigerian man has etched his name into the history books by completing a record-breaking 9-day read-a-thon, smashing the previous Guinness World Record for the longest individual reading session.
John Obot, a 35-year-old teacher and literacy advocate from Akwa Ibom State, read non-stop for 216 hours—equivalent to nine consecutive days—with only brief rest intervals permitted under the rules. His feat, completed at a public library in Lagos, drew nationwide attention and support, both online and offline, as Nigerians rallied behind his extraordinary mission to promote reading culture.
“I did this to inspire a new generation of readers and to show the world that Nigerians are passionate about education and personal development,” Obot said after concluding the marathon. “Books have the power to transform lives—and I want young people to know that.”
The previous record, set at 124 hours, was left far behind as Obot continued turning pages through fatigue, hunger, and sleepless nights. Supporters, friends, and fellow book lovers gathered daily at the venue to cheer him on, many bringing books to read in solidarity.
Obot carefully curated his reading list to reflect a wide range of genres and authors—from African literature and global classics to contemporary works and nonfiction. Among the notable titles were Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela, and Born a Crime by Trevor Noah.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu congratulated Obot in a public statement, calling him “a national inspiration and a hero of education.”
Officials from the Guinness World Records have confirmed they are in the final stages of verifying the attempt, which—if certified—will officially crown Obot as the new world record holder.
Obot now plans to launch a literacy foundation aimed at providing free books and resources to underprivileged schools across Nigeria. “This is just the beginning,” he said. “The goal is to turn this momentum into a movement.”
