How You Can Break the Guinness World Record

Breaking a Guinness World Record may look exciting on Instagram or Twitter, but what most people don’t see are the long months of planning, strict rules, and money spent before holding that famous blue-and-gold certificate.

From Kaffy’s marathon dance to Hilda Baci’s cook-a-thon, DJ Yin’s nonstop set, and Fola David’s giant drawing, every Nigerian who has made it into the Guinness World Records had to pass through the same tough process.

Where it all begins

The journey starts on the official Guinness World Records website. Anyone who wants to attempt a record must first register. You can choose to break an existing record or suggest a new one.

Applying for an existing record is free, but if you want to create a brand-new record idea, you must pay a non-refundable fee. Even then, most new ideas don’t make it through because Guinness rejects six out of ten submissions, either for being too close to an existing record or for not being unique enough.

For those in a hurry, there’s a “priority application service,” which allows you to skip the usual 12-week waiting period, though it comes at an extra cost.

No shortcuts, only rules

Once your application is accepted, Guinness sends you a “Guide to Your Evidence.” This is like the rulebook for your attempt. Every instruction must be followed—no exceptions.

That means your attempt must:

• Be recorded on video from start to finish with no breaks.
  
• Have at least two independent witnesses, with no ties to you.
  
• Include still photos, log sheets, and a signed cover letter.
  
• In some cases, involve certified professionals like doctors, referees, or engineers.
  

Over half of all record submissions fail, not because the attempt wasn’t good enough, but because the evidence was incomplete. A missing clip, an unsigned statement, or even a wrong stopwatch can cancel months of work.

The hidden costs

Applying might be free, but the attempt itself is rarely cheap. Renting venues, paying videographers, hiring independent witnesses, and handling logistics can run into hundreds of thousands or even millions of naira.

For massive records like “the largest pot of jollof rice” or “the biggest art canvas,” costs can skyrocket. This is why many record breakers look for sponsors, brands, or crowdfunding to cover expenses.

The risk of disqualification

One small mistake can wipe everything out. Disqualification often happens due to:

• Biased or unqualified witnesses.
  
• Technical errors like using the wrong timer.
  
• Gaps in the video or photo evidence.
  
• Failure to meet Guinness’ exact requirements.
  

Guinness World Records protects its credibility by being very strict—so every single detail matters.

Waiting for recognition

After the attempt, all evidence must be sent to Guinness for review. The waiting time can be as long as 12 weeks. However, if you don’t want to wait, you can pay for a faster review.

If you succeed, you get an official certificate, your name in the Guinness World Records archives, and even the chance to buy official merchandise. If you fail, you can always try again or look for another record to attempt.