A Nigerian dancer is closing in on a world record after spending nearly seven days dancing in Lagos, drawing large crowds and widespread attention on social media.
Benjamin Daniel, popularly known as Ben Dancer, is attempting to complete a 168-hour dance marathon at Freedom Park, surpassing the current Guinness World Record for the longest dance marathon by an individual.
The 33-year-old began his attempt on September 22 and is expected to reach his target early on Tuesday, September 29, if he completes the challenge.
The existing record stands at 127 hours and was set in 2023 by Indian dancer Srushti Sudhir Jagtap, who was 16 at the time.
Guinness World Records has not yet confirmed whether Daniel’s attempt will qualify for official recognition.
Daniel, who has worked professionally as a dancer for 18 years, has incorporated a wide range of Nigerian musical and cultural traditions into his performance.
His marathon has featured Afrobeats, fuji, jazz and zouk, alongside traditional Nigerian clothing, including agbada and dashiki outfits.
His team says the challenge is intended to showcase Nigeria’s cultural diversity while testing the limits of his physical endurance.
Crowds of supporters have gathered at Freedom Park throughout the week, cheering Daniel on, filming his performances and joining in the dancing from behind barriers.
Videos of the marathon have circulated widely online, attracting more spectators to the venue.
Supporters interviewed by the BBC described the performance as inspiring, although some expressed concern about the physical strain of dancing for such an extended period.
One spectator, Emmanuel Ulelu, said Daniel had appeared visibly exhausted during the second day but seemed to have recovered much of his energy when he returned to watch on the fifth day.
Ahead of the challenge, Daniel underwent intensive physical preparation, including cardiovascular training and dietary adjustments designed to help sustain his energy.
During the marathon, he has been consuming light meals and fluids while making use of the permitted rest periods.
Under the rules governing the attempt, he is allowed five minutes of rest for every hour of continuous activity. These breaks can be accumulated, allowing him to dance for several hours before taking a longer rest.
A medical team has remained on standby at the venue throughout the challenge.
Daniel’s attempt comes amid growing enthusiasm for Guinness World Records in Nigeria, particularly following chef Hilda Baci’s widely celebrated cooking marathon in 2023.
Baci set a record after cooking for 93 hours and 11 minutes in Lagos, inspiring a wave of similar challenges across the country.
Guinness World Records said it received more than 1,500 applications from Nigeria in the two months following her achievement, with aspiring record-breakers proposing challenges ranging from singing and reading to crocheting.
Daniel is now seeking to add another Nigerian achievement to that growing list, with his seven-day performance approaching its final hours.
