A Nigerian woman has crossed the 100 hour mark in her attempt to set a new Guinness World Record for the longest Holy Bible reading marathon.
Habibat Salawudeen Ihiovi Jack began the challenge, titled 144 Hours in the Word, on June 22 at Novotel in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. If successful, she will complete the marathon on July 2 after reading aloud for 144 consecutive hours under Guinness World Records rules.
Videos shared online show Habibat reading from both a lectern and a desk as digital countdown clocks tracked her progress. Family, friends, church members and supporters have remained at the venue, cheering her on as she entered the final stage of the challenge. Organisers said the attempt is being carried out in line with Guinness World Records regulations, which require continuous reading aloud with only limited rest breaks.
Habibat, a member of The Summit Bible Church in Port Harcourt, said the marathon is about more than breaking a record. She described it as a mission to encourage people to spend more time studying the Bible and growing in their faith. Her Senior Pastor, Dr Andy Osakwe of Summit Bible Churches Worldwide, echoed that message, calling the challenge a spiritual assignment designed to honour God’s Word and inspire believers.
The record attempt has gained widespread attention across social media and Christian communities, adding to the growing trend of Nigerians taking on ambitious endurance challenges in pursuit of Guinness World Records.
Habibat is attempting the feat less than two years after Guinness World Records officially recognised Nigerian reader Samson Ajao for the world’s longest marathon reading aloud. The then 27 year old from Ibadan set the current record after reading continuously for 215 hours and two seconds in May 2024, breaking the previous mark of 124 hours held by Kyrgyzstan’s Rysbai Isakov.
Guinness World Records will review the evidence from Habibat’s attempt before deciding whether to certify a new record.
