Brian Nwana, a food content creator, recently made headlines by surpassing his original Guinness World Record (GWR) quest to visit 120 fast food restaurants in Abuja within 24 hours by reaching an additional 30 restaurants, totaling 150 visits.
Nwana’s quest, which took place from April 25 to April 26, 2024, involved trekking approximately 20 kilometers across various locations in Abuja. His journey aimed to promote food businesses in the Nigerian capital.
In an interview after the successful quest, which has yet to be verified by GWR, Nwana shared his enthusiasm and acknowledged the challenges he faced. He mentioned that his attempt was to spotlight various food businesses in Abuja, bringing attention to spots that many people might not be aware of. His experience revealed some logistical issues, particularly with public transportation, leading him to cover large distances on foot.
“I visited different spots that sell different meals, and some people on the live video said they didn’t know some of the spots existed. I see the GWR as a medium to use to propel and touch on different things,” he said. I want to use this opportunity to thank my sponsors, team, family and friends. I want to also thank the Abuja food community for their support.
READ MORE: Nigerian Content Creator Aims To Break Guinness World Record With Restaurant Quest In Abuja
To meet GWR requirements, Nwana needed documentation showing the route taken from one location to another. However, public transportation in Abuja, often using informal systems like “Kabu Kabu,” did not provide receipts, forcing him to walk instead. He appealed to the Ministry of Transportation to modernize transportation in Nigeria to improve security and accountability. Nwana also called on the government to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), especially food businesses, with modern technology to foster growth.
View this post on Instagram
“The major issue I had was with transportation. We didn’t have any public transportation system with receipts that showed we went from Gwarinpa to Wuse, which is part of the requirements of GWR, and that made me trek that whole distance,” he said.
“I know the traditional ones that work like the ‘Kabu Kabu’, but I think the Ministry should look into creating a more modern form of transportation, it will help in security and accountability. I also want to appeal to the government to look into empowering SMEs most especially the smaller businesses with modern day technology to enable them grow.”
Looking ahead, Nwana plans to focus on charitable endeavors, collaborating with restaurants he visited to distribute food to those in need. He also shared advice for small businesses, emphasizing the importance of having an online presence to increase visibility. This advice is crucial, given that many potential customers now rely on online searches to find food vendors.
“As a food content creator, I will advise every restaurant to have an online presence to help increase their visibility. No matter what you sell, be it roadside Akara, bole, buka, try and have some online visibility because people are more inclined to look on their phones for things.”
Rhoda Kusimo, CEO of A.S. Management Agency, expressed disappointment that some businesses in the 21st century are not registered on Google. She urged the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) to create a supportive environment for SMEs. Kusimo also praised Nwana’s efforts to register over 100 businesses on Google Maps, aiding their visibility and potential customer outreach.
Edoh Franklin, the Project Manager, highlighted the importance of meeting GWR standards by providing evidence such as GPS tracking, live map data, and logbook documentation. Didi Esther, Director of Media Evidence for The Kaine Kranda Show, pointed out that some businesses were in less accessible locations but expressed hope that the increased attention from Nwana’s quest would boost their patronage.
Overall, Nwana’s quest has not only set a new record but also highlighted the need for better transportation infrastructure, support for SMEs, and the significance of an online presence in today’s business landscape. His next steps into charitable initiatives and promoting food businesses further demonstrate his commitment to making a positive impact on his community.
