Nigerian students become stars of Guinness World Records 2025 with incredible skipping records
Nigeria is on a roll, with many records being broken or attempted daily across the nation.
Numerous iconic record holders hail from this African country, including global cooking sensation Hilda Baci, former record holder for the longest cooking marathon, wig expert and businesswoman Helen Williams, and social media entrepreneur Clara Chizoba Kronborg who powered through a 55-hour-long interview.
And let’s not forget the longest recording marathon with multiple artists – an over-95-hour event hosted by Idem Abasifreke and Beatisblaak Studio.
Further proving Nigeria’s dominance in record-setting, three students earned a coveted spot within the pages of Guinness World Records thanks to their rope-skipping talent.
Meet Gbenga Damilare Ezekiel, Dubem Dunsin Emmanuel and Solomon Philip Ayobami: Guinness World Records 2025 stars who pushed their limits and revolutionized their training regimes to chase their dreams.
After powering through fatigue and stress, guided by coach Ukandu Chibuisi, the trio broke four skipping records.
"It's a dream come true," they say today about being featured in the newest Guinness World Records edition.
It's a thing of joy to achieve a Guinness World Records title. I think it is the greatest thing that has happened in my life – Gbenga, Philip, and Dubem
Gbenga: Most skips in one minute on one leg
Gbenga is an ambitious teenager with big dreams.
Passionate about rope-skipping and dancing, he describes achieving a Guinness World Records title as “the greatest thing that has happened in his life.”
Living in Akure, Nigeria, the 18-year-old student plans to become an entertainer in the future.
He loves the creativity that skipping offers, from dancing to freestyling with his rope, and has set three skipping records:
- Most double-under skips in one minute on one leg, with 144 skips
- Most skips in one minute on one leg: a record he first broke in 2022, with 265 hops. He bettered his own record in 2023, achieving 278.
Gbenga started skipping when he was 14, and he recalls that coach Chibuisi's support played a crucial role in encouraging him to believe in himself.
"He applied for me and started training me until the day I attempted the record."
Practising for his first attempt took a long time, and the teenager only reached it after months of hard work.
However, once he got into the groove, achieving a second title seemed a much easier stunt: “It took me three months to train for my first world record, but the second one only took about a month,” he says.
For me, to feature in the Guinness World Records 2025 book is a lifetime dream come true. It’s like reaching the pinnacle of my chosen path. - Gbenga
Gbenga said his family and friends are proud of his accomplishments – though they were initially surprised, not knowing he had been training for a record!
Once the news settled, he said everyone in his state was thrilled. His friends at school celebrated with him, and Ondo’s Commissioner for Youth and Sports visited his school to congratulate him on his incredible achievement.
“My goal for the future is to make people happy through entertainment,” he concludes, “and that’s what I am aiming for with rope skipping.”
Dubem: Most double under crossovers (criss cross) while skipping in 30 seconds
When talking about his world record, it's clear that 17-year-old Dubem is beyond thrilled about the accomplishment.
The teenager lives in Akure, where he studies and trains with his team, and achieved the record for the most double under crossovers (criss-cross) while skipping in 30 seconds, with 78.
"What I love most about rope skipping is the fun," he explains.
"You can go at your own pace, invent new skills, and challenge anyone, regardless of age. I love it."
Today, his family and friends are proud of his success, and he loves to “see that excitement on their faces, especially when they are interviewed about his record.”
Most of all, however, the teenager declares that he's especially proud to represent his hometown with his achievement, and to be the "first-ever Akure-born native to hold a Guinness World Records title."
Because of that, he dedicated his achievement to "all the sons and daughters of Akure, no matter where they are in the world."
In the future, the teen aims to bring even more positive changes to his local community by becoming a civil engineer.
He would like to help the underprivileged children and youth in his country, encouraging them to strive for their dreams and possibly follow in his footsteps by achieving their own record.
Even when I’m old, I can open the book, show my grandchildren and say, ‘Look at me when I was young. I achieved a Guinness World Records title.’ It’s a lifetime honour for me - Dubem
Philip: Most rope crossovers (criss cross) while skipping on one leg in 30 seconds
Solomon (although the teen goes by Philip) is a 17-year-old student, a passionate dancer and the third member of the record-breaking skipping trio.
Achieving his goal took two months of hard training, and he stresses that "it wasn't easy at all," but he says that he is overjoyed to be an official Guinness World Records title holder.
Eventually, training rigorously for months and sharpening his criss-crossing skills, in August 2023 he achieved the most rope crossovers (criss cross) while skipping on one leg in 30 seconds – racking up a remarkable 69 skips in half a minute.
He also equalled the record for the most rope crossovers while skipping on one leg in 30 seconds blindfolded (with 62 skips).
In early 2023, the talented teen broke the record for most skips in 30 seconds on one foot (153).
When thinking about how he practised for his records, Philip remembers fondly the times when their coach would play music and ask them to improvise and dance while skipping.
“What I love most about jump rope is the flexibility and excitement when training with my teammates,” he says.
In his free time, the teenager loves playing baseball and aims to continue his studies to become a math teacher.
However, he assures that his dream of pursuing a career in math surely won't stop him from breaking new records in the future!
Becoming a record holder is one of the greatest things one can achieve in the world - Philip
The road to Guinness World Records 2025
Gbenga, Solomon, and Dubem began their journey toward a world record after they were unable to attend the world championships in the USA due to a lack of sponsorship and funds.
Although the three teenagers felt frustrated, their coach Chibuisi never gave up on them. On the contrary: he offered them a new goal to look forward to.
“I still don’t know what he saw in me that made him encourage me to attempt my first Guinness World Records title,” Gbenga says, recalling how their coach first suggested the opportunity.
“He wanted to make us happy and introduced us to the Guinness World Records titles,” Philip adds.
At first, Philip recalls that he had no interest in breaking a record. However, the teenager changed his mind after Chibuisi talked to him privately, encouraging him not to wait any longer and to believe in his skills.
Lastly, inspired by the wise words of his coach, Dubem joined the winning team after his friends had already broken records.
But that was only the beginning.
Under the watchful guidance of their coach, they improved their performances and honed their skills almost every day, trekking to the local stadium four days a week after school and on weekends.
“Coach would do his personal training on Saturdays, and I’d join because he’d push us beyond our limits,” Dubem confessed, talking about how they would all train on Saturdays, as well as on regular school days.
Adding a new layer of pressure changed the game for the teenagers, who had to keep up with schoolwork and a rigorous workout regime.
Looking back, the three boys agree that adapting their casual, fun-oriented training to the demands of setting a world record was the hardest part.
Soon, 'no pain, no gain' became their mantra.
“You realize there’s a difference between jumping rope for fun and jumping rope for a record attempt,” Phillip explained. “When you’re racing against the clock, it’s not easy.”
However, the added pressure brought out the best in them.
Looking to the future
The trio is currently spearheading the “Rope Skipping in My School” initiative.
They travel from school to school, meeting with local pupils and teaching students how to skip.
“Our goal is to teach every student to skip,” Philip explains. “We hope this project will inspire many future Guinness World Records title holders. As a result, rope skipping is gaining popularity in schools across Nigeria.”
But the three aren’t stopping there, as the teenagers are eager to continue their record-breaking streak.
Eyeing a long list of titles they'd like to attempt, the trio aims to smash new records every year and - why not? - conquer more spots in the pages of the Guinness World Records annuals.