A Nigerian woman, Habibat Salawudeen Ihiovi-Jack, is seeking to set a new Guinness World Record by completing a 144-hour non-stop Bible reading marathon in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The record attempt, tagged ‘144 Hours in the Word’, commenced on June 22 at Novotel in Port Harcourt, and is scheduled to conclude on July 2, subject to compliance with Guinness World Records’ official guidelines.
By Sunday morning, Habibat had successfully surpassed the 100-hour milestone, moving into the closing phase of the marathon as supporters continued to monitor her progress.
The initiative, which has drawn interest across social media platforms, is being closely followed by family members, church congregants, and well-wishers gathered at the venue.
Brandspur Brand News understands that the challenge requires continuous public reading with only limited breaks permitted under Guinness World Records regulations for essential needs.
The organisers said the Port Harcourt resident is undertaking the marathon as a personal expression of faith and a campaign to encourage greater commitment to Bible study and spiritual reflection.
Throughout the attempt, she has been reading aloud from designated stations while digital timers record the elapsed time in accordance with the record body’s requirements.
Habibat is a member of The Summit Bible Church in Port Harcourt, where she is said to have received support for the ambitious undertaking. Videos circulating online have shown volunteers, friends, and church members cheering her on as she advances toward the target of 144 hours.
The latest attempt adds to a growing number of endurance record pursuits by Nigerians in recent years, many of which have attracted significant online engagement and international attention.
While some have focused on cooking, singing and other creative disciplines, marathon reading has also emerged as a recognised Guinness World Records category.
The current benchmark for the longest marathon reading aloud was set by Nigerian record holder Samson Ajao of Ibadan, whose 215-hour reading feat received Guinness World Records recognition in 2024. His achievement surpassed the previous 124-hour record established in 2022 by Kyrgyzstan’s Rysbai Isakov.
Although Habibat’s 144-hour target falls short of the existing overall reading marathon record, organisers maintain that the initiative is primarily intended to inspire people through sustained engagement with scripture while meeting the standards required for Guinness World Records assessment.
