Nigerian celebrity chef and Guinness World Record holder, Hilda Baci, has begun preparations for her highly anticipated jollof rice world record attempt by giving the giant custom-made pot a thorough wash.
The massive pot, built in Gbagada, Lagos, was delivered to Eko Hotel & Suites venue of the “World Jollof Rice Festival” happening today, September 12, 2025. Designed specifically for the event, the pot holds around 22,619 litres and spans nearly six metres wide, making it the centerpiece of the record-breaking cooking challenge.
Photos making the rounds on social media show Hilda Baci personally scrubbing the giant pot with detergent as she gets ready for the historic jollof rice challenge.
Organizers say the jollof rice challenge is expected to draw a crowd of over 20,000 people, with free entry and meals provided for everyone who attends. Originally planned for Muri Okunola Park, the event was relocated to Eko Hotel & Suites to better handle the large number of participants.
Cooking is set to kick off at 9:00 a.m., with Hilda Baci leading the culinary team.
Social media reactions to the massive pot have been mixed. While some users felt it looked smaller than they expected—despite its huge capacity others were more curious about the cooking method, wondering whether gas or firewood would be used.
Read also: Jollof Rice Record: Hilda Baci to Cook World’s Largest Pot
