In an interview with journalists prior to the event, which took place on the college campus, Dr. Akpan revealed that his application to the Guinness World Records, reference number 240427100506lml, for a 150-hour marathon lecture had received approval.
He surpassed the previous record at approximately 4:30 am on Sunday, achieving 142 hours of continuous lecturing, thereby breaking the record held by Prof. Arvin Mishra of India, which was 139 hours, 52 minutes, and 42 seconds, set in 2014.
Dr. Akpan successfully reached his goal of 150 hours around 2:30 pm, prompting celebrations among his audience, primarily composed of students and journalists.
In response to inquiries from the press, a visibly exhausted Dr. Akpan, who experienced a medical emergency on Friday and required treatment before resuming, stated, “We spent two to three months preparing for this.”
“When the health issue arose, I never considered quitting. I was determined to proceed and focused on the task at hand. After receiving treatment and being cleared to continue, I returned to the lecture.”
When asked about the obstacles he faced in reaching his goal, he remarked, “Some doubted our ability to succeed due to financial constraints. However, we accomplished this without their support.
“Challenges are inevitable, but for anyone aspiring to succeed, it is essential to remain focused and not be deterred. I don’t feel fatigued; rather, I have the desire to keep going.”