August 20, 2025

A Nigerian radio host celebrated 20 years in broadcasting in record-breaking style.

George Iniabasi Essien, known to his listeners as “Mighty George”, claimed the record for longest marathon hosting a radio talk show with a mind-boggling 105-hour show.

He hosted the record-smashing show on Comfort 95.1 FM in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, between 27 April and 1 May.

George kept going for more than four days, earning five minutes of rest for every hour he hosted his talk show.

Can you even imagine having enough social battery to hold a conversation for that long?

George, 43, told us: “I wanted to celebrate 20 years in radio and put Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria on the world map. This record is the first individual world record from Akwa Ibom State and the first Nigerian broadcasting/radio record.

“I felt an indescribable joy, fulfilment, and sense of achievement [when I broke the record], especially as the first successful individual attempt in the state.”

George is the Head of Programmes at Comfort, and also works as a voice actor, compere, talent scout/manager, and the stadium announcer for the national team of Nigeria.

He’s been at Comfort for eight years and hosts the “Comfort Breakfast Fiesta” from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. as well as some sports shows and formulating the rest of the programmes on the station.

He said it was his love for radio that kept him going through the 105 hours of his show, as well as the support from his loved ones and people watching his livestream.

Of course, George needed guests for his radio talk show, and interviewed a variety of people about their lives and careers.

He welcomed 60 guests into the studio and chatted with a further 20 over the phone.

They covered everything from sports and fashion to politics, governance and current affairs.

George, a former winner of Nigeria’s Best Radio Presenter and Nigerian Sports Journalist of the Year, said: “We also had a ‘Quiz Time’ segment with listeners, and I took time to get their reactions to every segment.”

He originally planned to keep his show going for 90 hours, but kept going for 105, until mental and physical exhaustion brought him to a halt.

He saved up as much of his rest breaks as he could so he’d have time to wash up, eat, stretch and take the occasional power nap.

George faced a lot of difficulties during his attempt too. He combated technical issues, discomfort, guests becoming unavailable and even an intruder threatening to derail his whole attempt.

But it was all worth it in the end.

He said: “My voice has been a source of income for myself and family for a long time. I hope to inspire young broadcasters and creative minds to push beyond limits and aim for greatness.”

Courtesy: Guinness World Records