By Victoria Okpanachi
Five dedicated Nigerians, have performed the world’s longest marathon reading aloud by a team, clocking in at 431 hours.
The team compromises Ogunremi Temitope from Kogi State, Precious-light Ukachi from Imo State, Ketura Heman from Gombe State, Stephen A. Oyelami from Osun State, and John John Obot from Akwa Ibom State.
The five youths embarked on an ambitious initiative under the banner of NIGERIA READS, spearheaded by Mr. Kingsley Sintim.
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Their goal is to break the Guinness World Record for the Longest Marathon Reading Aloud by a team, aiming to set a new benchmark of 431 hours. This would surpass the previous record of 365 hours that was established by a group from the Dominican Republic 11 years ago.
The marathon reading event took place at the Library Lagos from August 12 to August 30, 2025, creating an atmosphere of excitement and community engagement around the power of literature.
Mr. Kingsley Sintim, the team leader, emphasised that their endeavour extends beyond merely shattering a record, which was initially targeted at 424 hours; it serves as a platform to promote Nigerian literature and its vibrant authors.
During the marathon, the participants read a diverse selection of 79 books, all penned by Nigerian writers.
Notable works included Theophilus Enemali’s inspiring “Diamond in the Flame” and Halima Abdulazeez’s poignant “Soul Rant,” both highlighting the literary talent from Kogi State.
Moreover, the initiative aims to foster peace and unity by bringing together five marathoners representing different regions—North, East, West, South, and Central Nigeria.
This collaborative effort symbolises the strength found in diversity and underscores the belief that literature has the power to bridge divides among the country’s various cultural and ethnic groups.
The NIGERIA READS initiative strongly advocates for the transformative impact of literature, culture, and literacy in shaping Nigeria into its envisioned dream nation.
