By Opeyemi Adelakun
A Nigerian woman, Habibat Salawudeen Ihiovi-Jack, is attempting to break the Guinness World Record for the longest Holy Bible reading marathon with a 144-hour endurance challenge in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The marathon, tagged “144 Hours in the Word,” commenced on June 22 at Novotel, Port Harcourt, and is scheduled to conclude on July 2, in line with Guinness World Records guidelines.
As of Saturday, Habibat had successfully crossed the 100-hour mark, moving into the final phase of the marathon.
Videos circulating on social media show her reading the Bible aloud from a lectern and desk while digital timers track her progress. Family members, church members and well-wishers have remained at the venue to encourage her throughout the challenge.
According to the organisers, the record attempt is being conducted under official Guinness World Records regulations, which require continuous reading aloud, with only limited breaks permitted for essential needs.
Habibat, a member of The Summit Bible Church in Port Harcourt, described the marathon as a faith-inspired mission aimed at encouraging deeper engagement with the Scriptures.
Her Senior Pastor, Dr. Andy Osakwe of Summit Bible Churches Worldwide, said the initiative goes beyond setting a world record, describing it as a spiritual project designed to exalt God’s Word and inspire believers.
The attempt has continued to attract widespread attention online, joining the growing list of endurance challenges undertaken by Nigerians in recent years.
If successful, Habibat’s achievement will add another milestone to Nigeria’s growing presence in Guinness World Records attempts, following the recognition of Samson Ajao, who set the world record for the longest marathon reading aloud after reading continuously for 215 hours in 2024.
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