Olalade Ayelabola, a final-year student of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), has made history by setting a new Guinness World Record for the longest distance ever walked by a model. Ayelabola, a 500-level Computer Science student, accomplished this incredible feat by walking a staggering 130.62 kilometers during a continuous catwalk event.
Her attempt to break the previous world record took place at the indoor sports center of UNILAG on Nigeria’s Independence Day, October 1, 2024. Initially, the goal was to complete a 120-kilometer walk, but Ayelabola went above and beyond, covering an additional 10 kilometers, bringing the total distance to 130.62 km. The walk took place in the confines of the sports center, where she completed an impressive 2,058 laps.
Upon completing her record-breaking walk, Ayelabola took to social media to express her joy and gratitude. In a heartfelt post on Instagram, she wrote:
“I did it, everyone! My record is set. There were difficulties but I stood through it. There were pains but I refused to cower. Thank you for helping me do this. Thank you @unilagnigeria @esdcunilag. Thank you my beautiful models. Thank you to everyone on my team. I am grateful for it all. Thank you Nigeria.”
Throughout the event, Ayelabola showcased outfits created by Nigerian fashion designers, with many of the pieces contributed by the Theatre Arts Department at UNILAG. Her catwalk wasn’t just about endurance—it was also about celebrating Nigerian creativity and culture through fashion.
While this remarkable achievement has made waves, it is important to note that the record is yet to be officially confirmed and recognized by the Guinness World Records organization. Nevertheless, Ayelabola’s walk has already garnered significant attention, both within and beyond the UNILAG community.
This achievement highlights the determination, endurance, and passion of the young student, adding her name to the growing list of Nigerians breaking global records in different fields. Ayelabola’s success serves as an inspiration to many young people, showing what is possible with commitment, hard work, and resilience.
