Nigerian Women Firsts’: Milestones We Documented This Year
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Throughout the year, Nigerian women continued to break barriers, set global records, and redefine leadership across different fields. From culture and education to academia, security, and politics, these achievements highlight excellence, resilience, and global impact. Here are some of the notable milestones we documented this year.
- Hilda Baci Confirmed by GWR as New Record Holder with Largest Pot of Jollof
Nigerian celebrity Chef, Hilda Baci, broke another World Record this year. The Guinness World Record officially announced and recognised her as the new record holder of the world’s largest pot of jollof rice.
Chef Hilda cooked the world’s largest pot of jollof rice on Sept. 12, 2025, attracting thousands of speculators, including celebrities, influencers, and food lovers. Chef Hilda rose to fame in 2023 when she cooked for 93 hours and 11 minutes in her record-breaking cooking marathon.
- 17-Year-Old Nafisa Abdullah Named World’s Best in English at Global Competition
Seventeen-year-old Nafisa Abdullah Aminu has been crowned the world’s best in English language skills at the 2025 TeenEagle Global Finals held in London, United Kingdom.
Representing Nigeria through the Nigerian Tulip International College, Yobe, Nafisa outperformed more than 20,000 students from 69 countries, including native English-speaking nations, to claim the prestigious title. The international competition tested students in key areas such as comprehension, grammar, and public communication.
- OAU Appoints Damilola Agbalajobi First Female Political Science Professor
The Department of Political Science at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, promoted Damilola Agbalajobi to the rank of professor, marking a historic milestone as she became the first female professor in the department’s 63-year history.
The university’s Appointment and Promotions Committee approved the promotion at its meeting on 14 Apr. 2025, and it took effect on October 1, 2025. Before joining OAU, Damilola taught for five years at Redeemer’s University in Mowe, Ogun State. She earned a Bachelor of Science and a Master’s degree in Political Science from the University of Ilorin in 1997 and 2006, respectively, and obtained her PhD from the University of Lagos in 2017.
- Betty Otimenyin Assumes Office as Edo’s First Female Commissioner of Police
On January 27, 2025, Betty Otimenyin officially assumed office as the first female Commissioner of Police in Edo State. She is the 49th Commissioner of Police to be deployed to the state and was warmly received by senior command officers.
Betty Otimenyin succeeded Umoru Ozigi, who retired on January 25 upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 60.
- Princess Opeyemi Bright Becomes Youngest Mayor in UK at 29
In a historic milestone for youth leadership and Nigerian representation in the diaspora, 29-year-old British-Nigerian Princess Opeyemi Bright was inaugurated as the youngest Mayor in the United Kingdom.
Princess Bright officially assumed office as the First Citizen of the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham on May 16, 2025, following a ceremonial mayor-making event at Barking Town Hall. She succeeds Councillor Moin Quadri, who served as Mayor over the past year.
