Guinness World Record holder, Hilda Baci, has announced that the giant pot used during her record-breaking attempt for the largest serving of Nigerian-style jollof rice will neither be auctioned nor sold.
Speaking at a press qconference held on Saturday at the Gino Nigeria office in Lagos, Baci revealed plans to restore the pot to its original form and place it on public display, possibly in a museum or another accessible location.
She explained that the pot has evolved beyond its original use as cookware, now representing a symbol of history, innovation, and unwavering faith.
“Oh, you may not have heard of it. Oh, trust me, so many people have asked about that pot. Some people want to buy it, but they said we should auction it,” Baci said.
“That (pot) is a symbol of a lot of beautiful things. It’s a symbol of history. It’s a symbol of faith. It’s a symbol of innovation. Because, trust me, the process of putting that pot together, you know, it’s a symbol of many things.”
She added that the pot’s value lies in its cultural and emotional significance, expressing the hope that it would remain a point of inspiration for generations to come.
“I think we agree that this is something that we want 10 years from now, 20 years from now, for people to still be able to see and point to.
“I think that was the biggest pot of jollof rice in Nigeria. In the world, not just in Nigeria, because it’s been established for the first time.
“I mean, right now, I can tell you we’re definitely not going to auction it.
“We’re not going to sell it. We’re going to make sure that as many people as possible get to see it in its glory.
“And you’re probably going to ask me, are you going to keep it in that shape, no?
“We’re going to put it back in the form that it originally was. And, I don’t know, you’ll find it may be on your way to work or in a museum somewhere.”
Baci officially set the new Guinness World Record for the largest serving of Nigerian-style jollof rice on September 12, 2025, in collaboration with Gino. The dish weighed an impressive 8,780 kilograms (19,356 lb 9 oz) and was prepared at Victoria Island, Lagos.
Guinness World Records confirmed the feat via its official X (formerly Twitter) account, stating:
“New record: Largest serving of Nigerian-style jollof rice – 8,780 kg (19,356 lb 9 oz) achieved by Hilda Baci and Gino in Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.”
The event drew a large audience, including notable figures such as Nollywood actress Funke Akindele, Ogun State First Lady Bamidele Abiodun, and celebrity dancer Kaffy.
This accomplishment marks another milestone for Hilda Baci, who previously gained international attention in 2023 after completing a cook-a-thon where she cooked continuously for over 100 hours.
With this new record, Baci continues to spotlight Nigerian cuisine on the global stage, further cementing her legacy in culinary history.
