Nigerian Dancer Bendancer Completes 176 Hour Lagos Dance Marathon, Awaits Guinness World Records Verdict.

Nigerian Dancer Bendancer Completes 176 Hour Lagos Dance Marathon, Awaits Guinness World Records Verdict.

Nigerian contemporary dancer and choreographer Benjamin Daniel Gabriel, popularly known as Bendancer, has completed a seven day dance marathon in Lagos as he seeks to establish a new Guinness World Records title for the longest dance marathon by an individual.

Gabriel completed the endurance challenge on Tuesday, September 29, after dancing for 176 hours, 52 minutes and 59 seconds, according to reports from Punch and AFP. The marathon was staged in Lagos and attracted supporters who gathered to encourage the dancer throughout the gruelling performance.

Bendancer had initially set out to complete 168 hours, equivalent to seven days. His reported final duration exceeded the existing Guinness World Records benchmark of 127 hours, achieved by Indian dancer Srushti Sudhir Jagtap in June 2023. Guinness World Records’ official record page continues to list Jagtap’s 127 hour performance as the current recognized record.

Throughout the challenge, Gabriel performed to a range of musical styles, including Afrobeats, fuji, jazz, zouk and other African sounds. Reports also said he incorporated Nigerian cultural elements into the performance, including appearances in traditional outfits such as agbada and dashiki. His team said the event was intended not only as an endurance challenge but also as a platform for promoting Nigerian and African dance culture.

The marathon was conducted under Guinness World Records rules that allow participants in the category five minutes of rest for every continuous hour of activity, with unused rest time capable of being accumulated. Medical personnel monitored Gabriel during the attempt, while reports said he maintained hydration and consumed light meals. He was taken for a medical check-up after completing the challenge.

Gabriel has more than 18 years of professional experience in dance and works across choreography, creative direction, dance consultancy, modelling and fitness instruction. He is the founder of Bendancer Academy International, which focuses on training and mentoring emerging dancers. He has also performed with Made Kuti and The Movement and featured at events including Felabration and the Big Brother Naija finale.

Despite completing more than the targeted 168 hours, the performance cannot yet be described as an officially recognized Guinness World Record. Guinness World Records has said the evidence from the attempt must be submitted and undergo its review and verification process before a new record can be confirmed.

For Bendancer, the attempt has also been presented as an opportunity to draw international attention to African indigenous dance. His marathon adds to a growing list of Nigerian record attempts that have attracted global interest while placing Nigerian creativity and cultural expression on an international platform. AFP reported that Gabriel had applied three times to Guinness before receiving approval for the bid in February 2026.