A Nigerian barber has buzzed his way into the Guinness World Records. Owoyemi Qudus Adebayo from Lagos State has set a new record, shaving four minutes off the previous time to complete five skin fade haircuts, as Guinness World Records (GWR) confirmed.
The 26-year-old set a new record with a time of 14 minutes and 56 seconds, surpassing the previous record of 18 minutes and 57 seconds held by South Africa’s Enrico Springfield since 2022.
“To achieve this record, each finished hairstyle must be cut to the skin (i.e. grade 0) at the neck and back of the head, and tapered at least three grades towards the top of the head.
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“A minimum of three different clipper guards must be used to achieve the fade; it is not permitted to use a clipper with a lever that adjusts the trim length,” the global body stated on its website.
“Furthermore, all five participants having haircuts must begin with a full head of hair, measuring a minimum of 1 cm (0.39 in) all around.”
Official adjudicator Sofia Greenacre noted that a crucial factor in setting this record is avoiding the mistake of removing too much hair from the top.
“Enough must be left to create the required fade,” Greenacre, who oversaw the previous record holder’s attempt, stated.
Guinness World Records reported that Adebayo set the record at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), where he is studying statistics. He completed each skin fade in an average of three minutes, following all guidelines.
Adebayo has explained his motivation for breaking the record.
“I decided to break this record because I sincerely want global recognition for my hard work and labor over the years,” he told the GWR.
Management of UNILORIN has celebrated Adebayo’s achievement. Vice-Chancellor Wahab Egbewole praised Adebayo and said he has “reinforced the university’s ethos of excellence and creativity”.
Since Hilda Baci set a Guinness World Record for the longest cook-a-thon in June 2023, there has been a surge in Nigerians attempting to break records across various fields. Guinness World Records reported receiving around 1,500 applications from Nigerians in just two months.
Prior to Baci, 15-year-old Vincent Okezie had set four records in 2022 but felt underappreciated compared to the celebratory response Baci received.
“I feel like my country has rejected me. Also, I feel not recognized. I asked myself if it were only women that are usually recognized in Nigeria because even though other boys won Guinness World Records in my academy, nobody celebrated them or recognized them,” he said.
In addition to Adebayo’s achievement, another Nigerian made headlines in hair-related records this year. In May, 31-year-old Lagos wigmaker Helen Williams set her third Guinness World Record by creating the world’s widest wig, measuring 3.65 meters (11 feet 11 inches), slightly wider than a Mini Cooper car.
