By ANDREW UTULU
In a historic triumph of intellect, endurance, and seamless organization, the School of Eloquence has officially broken the Guinness World Record for “The Longest Speech Marathon by a Team”. The marathon, titled “20 Days of Eloquence, Nigeria speaks to the world ” ran continuously from April 1 to April 21, 2026, in Lagos, Nigeria. Today, official adjudicators confirmed the final, astonishing record time: 480 hours.
This monumental achievement completely obliterates the previous global record, which was set by Toastmasters District 112 in New Zealand in April 2018.
The results were unveiled during a highly anticipated virtual adjudication event earlier today. Mr. Abidemi David Edmond set a patriotic tone for the proceedings by opening his welcome speech with the Nigerian national anthem. Edmond praised the immense sacrifices made by the participants and correctly anticipated the favorable outcome, noting that the team executed every necessary step to perfection.
The sentiment was echoed by Mr. Ayodele, the lead of the planning committee, who declared the feat a victory not just for the School of Eloquence, but for the entire nation. It is, as he noted, a proud day to be a Nigerian, proving the sheer brilliance of its people.
For Ubong Essien, CSP, Founder and Dean of the School of Eloquence, the 20-day marathon was never solely about breaking a time limit; it was a profound showcase of intellectual contribution. “It’s to let the world know that Nigerians have ideas”. “We can articulate, we can present. We can engage in debates”. Emphasizing the nation’s diverse capabilities, Essien passionately noted that while Nigerians are globally celebrated for making the best jollof rice, this record proves to the world that they are equally unmatched in intellectual depth and public speaking.
During the official results announcement, Guinness World Records Chief Adjudicator Lena Kuhlman joined the event via a Zoom call to deliver the highly anticipated verdict. Kuhlman described the attempt as incredible, noting that she was particularly happy and impressed by the consistency and perseverance demonstrated by the entire team.
She highlighted that the previous record had been held for just over five days (127 hours and 31 minutes) by the Toastmasters group in New Zealand. Finally getting to the moment everyone had been waiting for, Kuhlman announced that the School of Eloquence had successfully won the current record for the longest speaking marathon by a team, running from April 1st to April 21st, for a staggering 480 hours.
As Kuhlman displayed the official Guinness World Records certificate on the screen, the audience erupted into screams of joy and celebration.
“To sustain a continuous speech marathon over full 20 days requires far more than people simply showing up to speak”, Kuhlman remarked. “It demands structure, precision, resilience, coordination, and an exceptional level of dedication from everyone involved behind the scenes”. She officially welcomed the institution into the record books, telling the team, “You are now officially amazing!”.
The record-breaking event was driven by immense community support and teamwork. Testimonials from two participating speakers highlighted how profoundly the rigorous attempt shaped their personal and professional communication skills. Behind the scenes, the School’s Registrar Mrs Ubong Essien commended the vital logistical support of individuals like Mrs. Esther Evodaghe, who graciously volunteered to fund the continuous refreshments and hydration necessary to keep the marathon running smoothly day and night.
This historic milestone beautifully coincides with the School of Eloquence marking its 20th anniversary, having been established in 2006 as Africa’s premier public speaking academy. To commemorate the victory, Essien announced an upcoming celebration later this month where every speaker and witness will receive a “Certificate of Historic Participation” to immortalize their role in shaping history.
Furthermore, “20 Days of Eloquence” will not be a one-time endeavor. Essien revealed plans to transform the marathon into an annual national convention that will feature dedicated days addressing thematic issues such as health, wellness, business, enterprise, politics, and governance. The 20th-anniversary momentum will also see the celebration and eloquence advocacy expand to the school’s Abuja center later this year.
Ultimately, the marathon serves as a clarion call for a culture of articulate leadership. “A more eloquent society is possible”. “Not only is it possible, it’s a necessity,” Essien concluded.
