A Nigerian dancer has completed a 168-hour dance marathon in Lagos in an effort to claim a new world record.
Benjamin Daniel, known professionally as “Ben Dancer,” undertook the seven-day challenge aiming to break the Guinness World Record for the longest individual dance marathon.
According to his team, the 33-year-old reached his target milestone around 03:00 local time at Freedom Park in Lagos before continuing to dance for an additional nine hours until noon. Daniel was subsequently taken to the hospital for medical evaluation following the physical exertion.
Guinness World Records confirmed to the BBC that it has received Daniel’s official application for the title, which currently stands at 127 hours.
A spokesperson for Guinness World Records said in the statement that, “Benjamin’s application is active and we now eagerly await submission of his evidence, which will then go through our official review and verification process before any record can be confirmed.”
Daniel’s team expressed feeling “elated” and deeply moved after watching him complete the challenge, which was broadcast live across social media platforms.
Over the course of the marathon, crowds of young supporters gathered at Lagos’ Freedom Park to cheer him on, filming his performance and dancing behind the perimeter barriers.
The current Guinness World Record was set in 2023 by 16-year-old Indian dancer Srushti Sudhir Jagtap, whose 127-hour performance focused primarily on Kathak, a major classical Indian dance form.
Backstory…
Benjamin Daniel Gabriel, who has danced professionally for 18 years, launched his record-breaking attempt last Tuesday, citing inspiration from Nigeria’s diverse dance traditions and vibrant digital culture.
His 168-hour performance featured a blend of music genres—including Afrobeats, Fuji, Jazz, and Zouk—complemented by multiple wardrobe changes into traditional Nigerian attire, such as the flowing dashiki and agbada.
Daniel’s achievement follows a previous notable attempt by Nigerian dancer Oluwatosin Solaru, known as Noohra (or Noorah), who undertook a dance marathon in June 2025.
The attempt highlights Nigeria’s ongoing engagement with Guinness World Records, particularly within the entertainment sector, exemplified by chef Hilda Baci’s officially recognized 93-hour and 11-minute marathon cooking record set in Lagos in 2023.
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