Nigeria’s official Super Eagles barber, Mr. Aiyenuro Joshua of T-Jos Signature, is aiming for a historic entry into the Guinness Book of World Records as he prepares to embark on the longest continuous haircut session ever recorded.
The “barbing marathon” is scheduled to take place from June 10 to 17, 2025, at the Velodrome of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja. The initiative, which has already begun to gain endorsements from celebrities and institutions, is part of a broader campaign to inspire African youth to dream big and pursue global recognition.
Joshua was formally unveiled in Abuja on Tuesday by the African Civil Society Forum (AFRICSOF), the key partner driving the project. Speaking at the event, AFRICSOF President, Ambassador Blessing Akinlosotu, said the initiative marks a deliberate shift from conventional civil society programming to youth empowerment through innovation and global excellence.
“Africa is a continent bursting with potential, yet out of over 60,000 Guinness World Record holders as of 2022, Africans represent only a fraction,” Akinlosotu noted. “Nigeria, the giant of Africa, has less than 50 record holders. This is unacceptable and must change.”
He emphasized that the barbing marathon is only Phase One of a larger vision that includes skill acquisition campaigns, youth empowerment initiatives, and social reorientation efforts targeting issues such as drug abuse, cybercrime, and low self-esteem.
AFRICSOF called on the public and private sectors, religious bodies, and the media to throw their weight behind the project. Akinlosotu described it as “a divine mandate for national transformation” and a “special project vehicle” to reignite talent and skill-based ambition among African youth.
“This dream must not die,” he declared. “This agenda must not fail. It is our collective duty to champion this movement and give our youth the confidence to break global barriers.”
The event was attended by stakeholders from the creative, sports, and social development sectors, with supporters hailing Joshua as a symbol of resilience and inspiration.
If successful, Joshua’s barbing marathon could place him in the annals of global history while shining a spotlight on the immense, often untapped talent present in Nigeria and across the African continent.
