Nigerian cloud engineer Abel Yakubu has officially secured a Guinness World Record for the Longest Computer Programming Lesson, an extraordinary 60-hour marathon held in Abuja, Nigeria. This unprecedented achievement, confirmed by Guinness World Records, significantly surpasses the previous global benchmark of 48 hours and 15 minutes, spotlighting Nigeria’s burgeoning technological landscape on the international stage. The feat, undertaken by Yakubu of Germany-based NexEdge Technologies, represents a pivotal moment for skill development and innovation within the West African nation, drawing global attention to its burgeoning tech talent.
The intensive programming session unfolded from 11 a.m. on Friday, November 21, to 11 p.m. on Sunday, November 23, 2025, drawing considerable attention as it streamed live across various social media platforms. Over three continuous days, Yakubu led the demanding lesson, which was meticulously monitored by 20 independent witnesses and supported by 30 committed participants, ensuring strict adherence to the stringent Guinness World Records guidelines. The event gathered 60 eager students, alongside more than 25 official witnesses who validated the continuous nature of the educational marathon, underscoring its authenticity and rigour.
Yakubu, a Nigerian-born expert with over a decade of experience in cloud engineering, articulated his profound satisfaction following the official confirmation. He publicly emphasised that the record served as a powerful testament to the efficacy of collective effort, strategic foresight, and unwavering commitment, principles he believes are vital for any significant accomplishment. “This achievement demonstrates what can be accomplished through teamwork, shared belief, proper planning and unwavering commitment,” Yakubu stated in a press release, extending heartfelt gratitude to all contributors for their instrumental roles in the success of the record attempt.
The curriculum for the marathon lesson was strategically designed to equip participants with advanced, in-demand knowledge in critical cloud computing platforms, reflecting current industry needs. Yakubu focused intensely on industry-leading services such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure, providing comprehensive insights into their architectures and functionalities. This targeted approach aimed to bridge existing skill gaps and prepare a new generation of Nigerian tech professionals for the complexities and opportunities within the global digital economy, enhancing their employability.
A primary motivation behind Yakubu’s ambitious undertaking was to profoundly inspire and empower young tech enthusiasts across Nigeria and beyond. He underscored the escalating importance of acquiring robust, hands-on technical skills, particularly in an era witnessing the rapid global adoption of Artificial Intelligence and other transformative technologies. Yakubu asserted that fostering such practical expertise among young individuals is not merely crucial for their future career prospects but also for Nigeria’s overall economic diversification and technological sovereignty.
The physical and mental demands of sustaining a 60-hour continuous lesson were immense, necessitating meticulous preparation from Yakubu himself. He revealed dedicating two months to rigorous physical and mental conditioning in anticipation of the gruelling challenge, acknowledging the extraordinary stamina required. Yakubu candidly described the overnight sessions as the most arduous segment of the exercise, highlighting the sheer endurance and resilience required to maintain instructional quality, participant engagement, and his own focus throughout the extended period.
Beyond the immediate record, Yakubu’s initiative carries significant implications for digital literacy and skill development across Nigeria’s expansive youth population. In the past year alone, he has personally trained over 200 young individuals, advocating strongly for greater youth engagement in technology as a pathway to economic empowerment. He also issued a compelling call to parents and guardians, urging them to actively encourage their children to pursue and acquire essential digital skills, thereby laying a solid foundation for their future success in a rapidly evolving, technology-driven world.
The official recognition by Guinness World Records not only celebrates an individual’s extraordinary feat of endurance and educational commitment but also powerfully underscores Nigeria’s expanding potential within the global technology education landscape. It serves as a beacon, illuminating the nation’s capacity for innovation and its unwavering commitment to fostering a vibrant tech ecosystem through strategic planning, collaborative endeavors, and enduring perseverance. This record unequivocally reinforces Nigeria’s position as a rising force in global digital transformation and human capital development.
