Sixty-five years(65) is no small journey. For Nigeria, it is a story stitched together by resilience, culture, and a spirit that refuses to go unnoticed. Every Independence Day comes with reflection: the struggles, the progress, the imperfections, but it also reminds us of how often Nigeria has turned the world’s gaze in its direction.
It is in the aromas of our food that now cross oceans, the beats of Afrobeats that fill arenas thousands of miles away, the strokes of Nigerian artists commanding millions in London auctions, and the moments when athletes, filmmakers, or leaders have written Nigeria’s name into global history. These are not just flashes of fame; they are milestones of identity, pride, and influence.
As Nigeria marks 65 years of independence, here are eleven times the country stood out on the global scene.
Leadership
1. Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala becomes the first woman and first African to lead the World Trade Organisation (2021)
In March 2021, Nigeria’s own Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala made global history when she assumed office as the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Her appointment was not only groundbreaking as she became the first woman and the first African to hold the role, but also a testament to her decades-long career in international finance, economics, and development. Known for her fierce intellect, reform-driven leadership, and unwavering commitment to equity in trade, Okonjo-Iweala’s rise reinforced Nigeria’s influence on the world stage and inspired millions across Africa.
Food
1. Hilda Baci breaks the Guinness World Record for longest cooking marathon (2023)
On Monday, 15 May 2023, at 7:45 am, Nigerian chef Hilda Effiong Bassey, popularly known as Hilda Baci, made history in Lagos by breaking the Guinness World Record for the longest cooking marathon by an individual. She surpassed the previous record set in 2019 by Lata Tondon of India (87 hours 45 minutes), reaching an extraordinary 93 hours and 11 minutes. This feat trended globally, putting Nigerian cuisine at the centre of international conversations.
2. Adejoké Bakare becomes the first black woman to receive a Michelin star in the UK (2024)
In 2024, Nigerian-born chef Adejoké Bakare made history as the first Black female chef in the United Kingdom to be awarded a Michelin Star for her London restaurant, Chishuru. Celebrated for its modern take on West African cuisine, Chishuru’s menu draws heavily from Bakare’s Yoruba heritage, with dishes such as pepper soup, fermented rice pancakes, and grilled meats presented with refined, contemporary flair.
3. Hilda Baci sets record for the largest serving of Nigerian jollof rice (2025)
On 12 September 2025, during the World Jollof Festival in Lagos, Hilda Baci once again put Nigeria on the map. Partnering with Gino Nigeria, she prepared asun jollof rice over a nine-hour period, creating a staggering 8,780 kilograms (19,356 lb 9 oz) of the dish. Officially recognised by Guinness World Records, it was celebrated as the largest serving of Nigerian-style jollof rice ever made.
Music
1. Wizkid Sells Out London’s O2 Arena Three Nights in a Row (2021)
In November 2021, Nigerian superstar Wizkid became the first African artist to sell out the London O2 Arena for three consecutive nights during his Made in Lagos tour. The first show sold out in 12 minutes, the second in just 2 minutes, and the third followed quickly due to overwhelming demand. The feat cemented Wizkid’s status as a global Afrobeats ambassador, proving the genre’s growing influence on the world stage.
2. Tems becomes first Nigerian female artist to sell over 10 million units in the US (2025)
On Tuesday, 30 September 2025, Temilade Openiyi, professionally known as Tems, reached a historic milestone by becoming the first female Nigerian artist to sell over 10 million units in the United States. The confirmation came from Chart Data on X (formerly Twitter). The achievement centres on her collaborative single “WAIT FOR U” with American stars Future and Drake, which officially crossed the 10 million sales mark. This record-breaking feat cements Tems’ position as one of Nigeria’s most successful global music exports.
Culture & creative arts
1. Ikorodu Bois take Nigerian creativity global (2020–2021)
The Ikorodu Bois, a Nigerian online comedy group, have carved a niche for themselves by recreating multi-million dollar Hollywood trailers, music videos, and photos with everyday items and pure ingenuity. Their viral re-enactments caught the attention of international filmmakers, including the Russo Brothers, who invited them to the premiere of Extraction 2. In 2021, their influence went even further when they were featured in a Netflix Oscar Weekend Film Brand Campaign, showcased on the giant screens of Times Square, New York City. This came after Netflix gifted them professional filming equipment in recognition of their unique talent.
Nollywood
1. Nollywood recognised as the world’s second largest film producer (2009)
In 2009, Nigeria’s film industry achieved a landmark recognition when the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) declared Nollywood the world’s second largest film producer, officially edging out Hollywood from the position. Only India’s Bollywood remained ahead. The announcement, made simultaneously at the UN headquarters in New York and UNESCO’s office in Paris, followed a global cinema survey by the UNESCO Institute of Statistics.
2. “Mami Wata” makes Nollywood history at Sundance (2023)
In 2023, Nollywood achieved a historic milestone with the premiere of “Mami Wata”, a black-and-white fantasy thriller directed by CJ Obasi and produced by Oge Obasi, at the Sundance Film Festival — the world’s largest indie film festival. This was the first time a Nigerian feature film screened at Sundance, signalling Nollywood’s growing relevance on the global stage. The film went on to secure major accolades, including the 2023 National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVB) Award, and achieved even greater recognition when it earned an Oscar nomination for Best International Film in 2024.
Sports
1. Chioma Ajunwa Wins Nigeria’s First Olympic Gold (1996)
At the Atlanta 1996 Olympics, Chioma Ajunwa made history by leaping 7.12m to win the women’s long jump, becoming Nigeria’s first and only individual Olympic gold medallist. She was also the first Black African woman to win Olympic gold in a field event. Ajunwa’s legacy is even more remarkable as she remains the only woman to have competed at both the FIFA Women’s World Cup as a footballer and the Olympics as a track and field athlete.
2. Tobi Amusan Becomes Nigeria’s First World Athletics Champion (2022)
On 24th July 2022, Tobi Amusan made history in Oregon, USA, becoming the first Nigerian athlete to win a World Athletics Championship gold medal. Competing in the women’s 100m hurdles, she not only secured victory but also shattered the world record with a time of 12.12 seconds in the semifinal, before clocking a wind-assisted 12.06 seconds in the final. Her triumph was celebrated worldwide, with the International Federation of Athletics (World Athletics) and FIDA (International Federation of Women Lawyers) hailing her as a beacon of inspiration.
