A wave of national and international support is rising behind Nigerian motorcyclist Ebaide Joy, whose inspirational journey across Africa on a motorcycle was rejected — and deleted — by Guinness World Records.
Ebaide, who began her daring solo adventure on March 8, 2024, in Kenya — marking International Women’s Day — rode through 20 African countries on a 250cc motorcycle. But her application for the “Longest Solo Motorcycle Ride Across Africa by a Woman” was shockingly dismissed by Guinness, who claimed her feat was not a recognized title and, even more controversially, said her journey wasn’t personal enough.
At the heart of the outrage is Ebaide’s backstory: at just 23 years old, she survived a near-fatal road accident that left her paralyzed. Following a complex spinal surgery, Ebaide learned to ride a motorcycle — a skill she would later use to break boundaries and defy expectations.
“I met every requirement,” Ebaide said in a statement. “I proved that others had received similar records. I showed it was personal. Instead of a conversation, they erased my application completely — as if I never applied.”
The motorcyclist had paid $1,000 for a priority review, hoping for a faster response than the standard 20-week waiting time. But within three days, her application was not only rejected but entirely erased from the Guinness system — with no refund or explanation given.
Speaking on the emotional toll, Ebaide said, “I felt invisible. Like I didn’t matter. Like I wasn’t worthy of being recorded — simply because I’m African.”
In response, public figures, activists, and everyday Nigerians have begun rallying around Ebaide’s story, calling out what many perceive as discrimination and gatekeeping in global recognition platforms.
Despite the setback, Ebaide is determined to finish her ride, which now doubles as a fundraising mission for African girls and orphans, causes deeply personal to her as an orphan herself.
She has also hinted at a major initiative to be announced on April 27, her birthday, signalling that her mission is far from over.
As Ebaide nears the completion of her historic ride, her story is already proving bigger than any record book — capturing hearts and igniting conversations on resilience, recognition, and African excellence.
