A Nigerian woman, Habibat Salawudeen Ihiovi-Jack, has successfully concluded a 144-hour attempt to set a new Guinness World Record for the longest marathon reading of the Holy Bible.
The six-day challenge ended on Monday, with videos shared by supporters on Instagram showing the completion of the feat after continuous Bible reading in line with Guinness World Records guidelines, which allow only brief breaks for essential needs.
Branded “144 Hours in the Word,” the initiative was designed to promote a deeper appreciation of the Scriptures and encourage Christians to cultivate a stronger commitment to Bible study.
According to organisers, Habibat’s journey toward the record attempt began in June 2022, following years of preparation, discipline and spiritual dedication.
The reading marathon took place under official Guinness World Records regulations, requiring participants to read aloud continuously while observing only limited rest periods.
Throughout the challenge, Habibat received support from family members, friends, church members and other well-wishers, transforming the event into both a test of endurance and a public demonstration of faith.
A member of Summit Bible Church in Port Harcourt, Habibat completed the reading on June 29 after commencing the challenge on June 22 at the Novotel in Port Harcourt.
Her Senior Pastor, Dr. Andy Osakwe of Summit Bible Churches Worldwide, described the exercise as more than an attempt to break a world record, saying it was a spiritual initiative intended to honour God’s Word and inspire believers.
The event also attracted significant attention online and at the venue, with supporters following her progress through livestreams and videos showing her reading from a lectern while digital timers counted down the hours.
Habitat’s attempt comes after Nigerian reader Samson Ajao was recognised by Guinness World Records in 2024 for the longest marathon reading aloud. The Ibadan-born record holder read continuously for 215 hours, surpassing the previous record of 124 hours set by Kyrgyzstan’s Rysbai Isakov in 2022.
Habibat’s attempt will now undergo the standard Guinness World Records verification process before any official recognition is granted.
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