Celebrity chef and social-media food star Hilda Baci launched an ambitious bid to cook the world’s largest pot of jollof rice on Friday, drawing thousands of onlookers and winning public praise from the federal government. The attempt — billed as part of the #GinoWorldJollofFestwithHildaBaci — began at a Lagos venue amid fanfare, a custom-built cooking vessel and an elaborate logistics plan.
Federal Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris publicly commended Baci for the attempt, describing it as an example of Nigerian creativity and entrepreneurial spirit, and pledged support from government agencies to ensure the event ran smoothly and safely. The minister’s endorsement was widely shared on social media and reported by national outlets.
Organisers say the specially fabricated pot measures roughly six metres wide by six metres tall and can hold more than 22,000 litres — a scale intended to surpass existing records. Media reports and organisers’ posts indicated the cook would use approximately 250 bags of rice and that preparations included health and safety checks, crowd management and coordination with Guinness World Records adjudicators or representatives who are monitoring the attempt.
The event attracted a large, multigenerational crowd. Baci told reporters and followers that tens of thousands had registered to attend and that the cook would be conducted to strict hygiene and safety standards while showcasing the flavours of Nigerian jollof rice. The attempt forms part of a surge of high-profile Guinness World Record bids in West Africa in recent years, a trend observers say has helped raise the international profiles of local creators and culinary entrepreneurs.
Supporters and sponsors have framed the attempt as both a cultural celebration and a tourism draw for Lagos, while organisers said surplus rice would be distributed to attendees and local charities after the record attempt — reiterating a community-focused aim alongside the publicity and pageantry. At the same time, commentators and safety advocates urged organisers to maintain strict food-safety protocols and transparent adjudication so the outcome would stand up to Guinness verification.
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