Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has applauded celebrity chef Hilda Baci for her ongoing Guinness World Record attempt to cook the world’s largest pot of jollof rice.
Speaking through the Director-General of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria, Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos on Friday, the minister described the effort as “another demonstration of Nigeria’s global excellence.”
Baci, who gained worldwide recognition in 2023 after setting the record for the longest cooking marathon with a 93-hour feat, is now leading a new challenge using a custom-built pot measuring six metres in diameter.
“The Federal Government lauds Hilda Baci’s extraordinary effort in putting Nigeria once again on the global map,” Idris said. “Her dedication to excellence and her unrelenting pursuit of greatness exemplify the Nigerian spirit that the world has come to appreciate.”
He highlighted the chef’s meticulous preparation and commitment to hygiene as hallmarks of professionalism, saying such qualities reflect “the integrity that define Nigerian excellence.”
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Idris further pledged federal support for Baci’s initiative and other projects that showcase Nigeria’s talent and culture globally. “We recognise and celebrate Nigerians like Hilda Baci who serve as ambassadors of our nation’s capabilities, talents, culture, and food,” he noted.
The minister also urged the thousands of young Nigerians who gathered at the festival venue to emulate Baci’s discipline, perseverance, and entrepreneurial drive. He expressed confidence that her record-breaking effort would inspire a new generation of creatives and innovators.
On behalf of President Bola Tinubu, Idris extended best wishes to Baci, stressing that her achievement would be celebrated as “a collective national victory.”