Funke Akindele, Nollywood actress and filmmaker, has thrown her support behind Hilda Baci’s Guinness World Record attempt to cook the world’s largest pot of Nigerian Jollof rice.
The event, held at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos, drew a massive crowd and featured celebrity appearances, music, and dance, creating a carnival-like atmosphere. Akindele praised Baci’s determination and resilience, describing her as “strong and beautiful with brains”.
Akindele urged young women to look beyond physical appearance and focus on hard work, citing Baci as a role model. “You can look beautiful, but you have to hustle, you have to do something special for yourself,” she said. The actress also commended Baci’s support for others, noting that she always shows up to support friends and colleagues.
The custom-built pot used for the record attempt has a volume of 22,619 litres, with a target to fill it up to 80% with approximately 5,278 kilogrammes of raw basmati rice. Baci rose to prominence in 2023 after breaking the Guinness World Record for the longest cooking marathon, cooking for over 93 hours in Lagos.
Other celebrities in attendance included Kaffy, Tomike Adeoye, Enioluwa, and Veekee James. The event showcased Nigeria’s rich culinary heritage and demonstrated the power of food to bring people together. With over 20,000 registered attendees, the record attempt has become a celebration of Nigerian culture and identity.