UNILAG Student Ololade Ayelabola Walks 130km in Historic Guinness World Record Bid for Fashion Inclusivity
Ololade Ayelabola, a model and final-year Computer Science student at the University of Lagos, has set her sights on the Guinness World Record by walking an astounding 130.62 kilometres on a catwalk. This groundbreaking feat took place at the University of Lagos Indoor Sports Centre, where Ayelabola completed 2,058 laps in an effort to break the 41-year-old record for the longest distance walked by a model.
The previous record of 114.4 kilometres was held by Roberta Brown and Lorraine McCourt, who set the mark in Ireland in 1983. Ayelabola aimed to walk 120 kilometres over 96 hours, but she exceeded her goal, concluding her walk on October 5, after starting on October 1, in honor of Nigeria’s Independence Day.
Beyond the record attempt, Ayelabola’s walk was driven by a larger purpose: to challenge stereotypes and promote inclusivity in the fashion industry. Having faced rejection from fashion shows due to her height, she created this platform to empower models who have been sidelined by industry standards.
“I’m not walking for myself alone,” Ayelabola said. “This is for every model who has been limited by stereotypes and rigid systems. It’s also about showcasing the incredible creativity of the Nigerian fashion industry.”
Throughout the walk, Ayelabola modelled designs from various Nigerian designers, showcasing a range of outfits from casual wear to traditional attire. Supported by fellow models and cheering University of Lagos students, her inspiring journey has drawn attention not only to her record-breaking attempt but also to the broader message of inclusivity she champions.
See highlights of her walks:
Day 1: 20 hours of walking
Matching the previous record: 114.4 km (71.1 miles) walked in 92 hours
Completing the 130.62 km walk
Ololade’s looks in Nigerian designer outfits
