By Debbiemuse
Bello Oluwapelumi Ayomide, a 200-level Education and Physics student at the University of Ibadan (UI), is renewing preparations for his proposed Guinness World Record attempt for the longest teaching marathon, with plans to teach Physics for seven consecutive days during the forthcoming semester break.
Popularly known as Tutor Bello, Ayomide, who also serves as the Welfare Officer of the UI’SU Directorate of Academic Coordination, said the attempt, initially planned for the previous semester vacation, was postponed because of the university’s academic calendar.
Speaking exclusively to a UCJ correspondent in an interview, he explained that the short interval between his last examination and the commencement of the new semester made it difficult to organise the event as planned. The proposed attempt is now being prepared for the next semester break, which he said is expected to begin on November 27.
According to Ayomide, preparations have resumed with the establishment of different teams to coordinate the event, including welfare, attendance, meals and media units. He said the arrangements were intended to ensure that the various aspects of the marathon would be properly managed.
The publicity campaign is also taking shape, with plans for 10 banners estimated to cost about ₦100,000, alongside approximately 300 posters and 200 flyers. He disclosed that a Google Form had been circulated to collect information from prospective attendees and determine their availability for the event.
He expressed confidence that the attempt would take place this time, citing the resources already committed to the preparations and the limited period within which he could undertake the challenge. “We cannot invest this much money and effort into the preparations without seeing the event through,” he said.
Bello added that the application approval had a one-year validity period, making the coming attempt particularly important to him. He noted that his academic commitments might make it difficult to pursue the record the following year.
The proposed 168-hour teaching marathon will focus on Mechanics, a component of Physics 101, a course taken by first-year students. Bello said the choice was deliberate, as he hopes to make a subject many students find difficult easier to understand through sustained, detailed teaching.
Rather than treating the challenge solely as a personal achievement, he said he intends to create an educational resource that students can continue to use long after the event.
“The record itself isn’t even just for recognition,” he said, explaining that the plan to stream the marathon online would allow students to revisit the lessons whenever they needed them.
He added that the recorded sessions could benefit successive generations of first-year students who might struggle with the course, extending the value of the attempt beyond the seven days of teaching.
Bello said he had received guidelines from Guinness World Records detailing the requirements for the attempt. These include stipulated rest periods, continuous video recording and the presence of witnesses.
According to him, the guidelines permit five minutes of rest for every hour of teaching, with the breaks accumulated to allow longer teaching sessions followed by corresponding rest periods.
He explained that the recording would continue during breaks, while a timekeeping device would also be filmed to document the duration of the attempt. The evidence would subsequently be submitted through the Guinness World Records evidence portal for assessment. He also disclosed that he had begun making arrangements for the required witnesses, whom he described as reputable individuals.
However, some logistical arrangements are yet to be finalised. Bello said his faculty dean had previously discussed providing a seminar room in the Faculty of Education and facilitating medical support when the attempt was first planned.
Following the postponement, however, he said he could not assume that the earlier arrangements remained in place.
He explained that he had contacted the faculty president, who had facilitated his earlier meeting with the dean, to help reopen discussions about the proposed venue and medical arrangements. He expressed hope that the outstanding issues would be addressed before the end of October.
Funding also remains part of the preparations. Bello said the resources available to his team had been exhausted, although he was exploring ways to raise the money required to organise the event. He disclosed that he was working on an online contract whose expected payment could help cover some of the expenses.
Despite these challenges, he maintained that his determination to undertake the marathon remained strong, describing the physical demands of teaching for seven days as manageable based on his previous experience teaching for extended periods.
For Bello, the planned attempt also presents an opportunity to draw attention to the challenges students face in accessing quality education in Nigeria, particularly when they lack adequate learning support and educational resources.
He said he hopes to use the publicity surrounding the event to promote technology-driven learning through platforms such as Belloxdydx and LockInPoint, which provide students with learning materials, past questions and other educational resources.
He added that the attention generated by the attempt could help him build partnerships, attract support and expand access to affordable learning materials, especially for students who cannot afford private tutoring.
“The record is not the destination; it is a platform to amplify my impact in education,” he said.
Bello expressed confidence that he could complete the proposed marathon, attributing his determination to his faith and passion for teaching, which he described as more than a means of earning a living.
“With God, it is very possible, and for me, it is very achievable. The only major thing on the way is just finances,” he said.
As preparations continue, the actual date and venue of the attempt remain to be confirmed, alongside the outstanding arrangements for medical support and other logistical requirements.
