Hilda Baci: Cooking More Than Jollof Rice -By Azuka Onwuka

When chef Hilda Baci recently cooked the largest jollof rice and broke yet another world record, she didn’t just stir rice in a large pot – she stirred global attention towards Nigeria and Africa’s most iconic dish. She also stirred the hornet’s nest in some quarters. Hers went beyond a culinary feat. She exemplified the Nigerian spirit of excellence, resilience and creativity.

Hilda Baci has never hidden her passion for food, cooking, and using her profession as a platform to tell Nigeria’s story. In 2023, she made global headlines when she broke the Guinness World Record for the longest cooking marathon by an individual. This new record of the largest jollof rice reinforces the fact that her vision is deliberate: she is not merely cooking; she is curating culture, selling heritage, and exporting Nigeria’s brand of excellence, creativity and resilience through food. She has shown that a profession often underrated can be used as a tool for cultural diplomacy.

Yet, as with most things Nigerian, not everyone has celebrated this feat. Some have argued that young people in other countries are driving innovation, making breakthroughs in science and technology, or championing political and social reforms, while Nigerians are content with cooking rice for world records and queuing up to have a share of rice. Although this criticism may sound seemingly logical, it misses the big picture. It fails to appreciate the dignity of labour and the beauty of excellence expressed in any field of human endeavour. It comes from the mindset of those who have been conditioned to believe that some professions are prestigious while others are “menial”.

No great nation is ever built by one profession or sector. That is why some countries like the USA, UK, and Canada are always eager to absorb any star from any field into their countries. Sportsmen and women bring honour to their countries. Scientists attract respect for their countries through research and innovation. Musicians and artists elevate their nations’ images through songs, paintings, and performances. Similarly, chefs and culinary experts carry the culture of their nations to global audiences. They tell stories through taste and aroma.

One may ask, for example, what brought the recent attention of the world to Nigeria after decades of demonisation caused by bad governance and the activities of scammers and drug peddlers? It was not a technological or political breakthrough.

It was music: Afrobeats. Nigerian music caught the attention of the world. They turned their gaze to Nigeria and discovered that Nigerians are intelligent and hospitable people, that Nigeria is not a jungle inhabited by people who use each other for dinner, but a beautiful land with warm people and beautiful houses. They also found out that Nigerians have wonderful dishes and attire, and make amazing spouses.

Therefore, Hilda’s jollof rice record carries symbolic weight because jollof rice itself is more than food. It is a cultural identity. All over West Africa, jollof rice lubricates festivals, weddings, birthdays, and parties. No event is complete without jollof rice. Arguments over which country cooks the best jollof rice between Nigeria and Ghana have sparked countless debates and jokes, even involving presidents and diplomats. By cooking the world’s largest jollof rice, Hilda did more than break a record; she cemented Nigeria’s claim as the true custodian of this globally loved cuisine. Her effort drew the world’s eyes not only to her but to Nigeria’s rich culinary heritage.

It is also important to appreciate the discipline, planning and teamwork that went into this accomplishment. She did not just wake up one morning and cook the largest jollof rice. The feat required resources, logistics and leadership. It demanded hours of labour, coordination of people and the management of expectations. These are the very qualities expected of great entrepreneurs, innovators and leaders. In that sense, Hilda’s feat went beyond cooking. It showcased organisational skills. She showed Nigerians, as well as the world, that with preparation, planning and determination, no challenge is insurmountable.

To the critics, the real worry should not be that Nigerians are setting world records in cooking, but that few Nigerians are setting world records in their chosen fields. Imagine a Nigeria where political leaders are setting records in governance, where scientists are breaking global health and technology records, and where entrepreneurs are building companies that rival the biggest in the world. Hilda Baci has shown us the template: focus on your passion, invest in your craft and aim for excellence that forces the world to notice.

This is why Hilda deserves commendation, not condemnation. Once more, she has brought the world’s attention to Nigeria in a positive way, something that is rare at a time when international headlines about Nigeria often focus on corruption, insecurity, or disaster. For once, the spotlight was on something joyful, inspiring, and uniquely ours. Nigerians at home and abroad could proudly point to Hilda’s achievement as proof that Nigerians not only survive adversity, but they also thrive in it and rise above it.

Her journey also sends an important message to young people: success is not one-size-fits-all. You do not need to conform to someone else’s definition of impact. If you are a teacher, be an excellent teacher. If you are a doctor, be a doctor of unmatched skill and compassion. If you are an entrepreneur, innovate until the world takes notice. That is in line with African China’s lyrics “Mr President, lead us well; Mr Governor, govern us well”. Hilda has taught us that even in cooking – a profession many underestimate – you can shine bright enough to put your country on the map.

For those who pay attention to Nigeria, Nigerians have always been known for excellence. Our sports stars dominate the tracks and fields. Our writers, like Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka, Ben Okri and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, have shaped world literature. Our musicians, from Fela to 2Baba to Burna Boy, have carried our rhythms globally. Our entrepreneurs are solving problems in technology and finance. Hilda has simply joined this proud lineage, proving that excellence has no boundaries. Each time a Nigerian breaks barrier, the world takes note, and the image of the nation grows.

Rather than belittling her accomplishment, we should embrace it as a challenge. Hilda has raised the bar for Nigerian youth: find your field, excel in it, and let the world know your name. Greatness is not reserved for a chosen few; it is available to all who are willing to think, work, sacrifice, and persevere. Nigeria’s story will be rewritten not by critics who try to tear down but by doers like Hilda who think and act.

As we celebrate Hilda Baci, let us also commit to a culture of excellence across the board. Let us support one another, applaud the wins of our fellow Nigerians, and challenge ourselves to be the best in whatever we do. The greatness of a nation is the sum of the greatness of its people. If every Nigerian rose with Hilda’s courage and determination, then indeed, Nigeria would be great.

So, to Hilda Baci, we say: congratulations. Thank you for cooking more than rice; thank you for cooking pride, inspiration, and hope. Thank you for reminding us that through excellence, the world will notice Nigeria – not just for its problems, but for something positive. Thank you for reinforcing the belief that as a big country, we do big things, and in whatever we do, Naija no dey carry last. Finally, thank you for proving that in the pot of global recognition, Nigeria’s flavour will always stand out.

X: @BrandAzuka