Hilda Baci’s Jollof Rice Pot Collapses During Weigh-In

Hilda Baci’s Jollof Rice Pot Collapses During Weigh-In

Guinness World Record holder Hilda Baci’s ambitious attempt to cook the world’s largest pot of Nigerian Jollof rice took an unexpected twist on Friday night when the massive pot collapsed during the official weighing process in Lagos.

The free event, titled Gino World Jollof Festival with Hilda Baci, launched at Eko Hotel and Suites with over 20,000 registered attendees. Fans and celebrities flocked to the venue, forming long queues as security worked to manage the swelling crowd.

The custom-built pot, an engineering marvel, stood six metres tall and six metres wide, with a staggering capacity of 22,619 litres.

Hilda initially planned to cook with 5,000 kilograms of basmati rice (around 250 bags), but later scaled it down to 4,000 kilograms (200 bags) due to weighing complications.

A crane was brought in to lift the pot for verification, but the structure buckled under its own weight, causing a brief panic among onlookers. Footage of the incident quickly spread across social media.

Operations were paused immediately to ensure public safety, and as of press time, it remained unclear whether the weighing was successfully completed.

Despite the setback, Hilda’s team remained hopeful.

“We’re reviewing all footage and procedures. Safety was paramount, and we’re confident the record attempt will still be eligible for certification,” a team representative stated.

The festival attracted a star-studded crowd, including actress Funke Akindele and musician Falz.

Hilda first captured national attention in 2023 when she shattered the Guinness World Record for the longest cooking marathon, clocking over 93 hours in the kitchen.

That achievement catapulted her to global fame and made her a household name across Nigeria.