Nigerian Dancer Bendancer Set For 168-Hour Guinness World Record Dance Marathon

Nigerian professional dancer and choreographer, Benjamin Daniel, popularly known as Bendancer, is set to attempt the Guinness World Record for the longest dance marathon by an individual.

The historic 168-hour dance marathon is scheduled to hold from September 21 to September 27, 2026, at Freedom Park.

Bendancer, who has earned recognition within Nigeria’s entertainment and dance industry, is widely known for breaking long-standing gender barriers in the Afrobeat movement as the first male dancer to perform prominently within the legendary Kuti music dynasty at the New Afrika Shrine.

The celebrated dancer currently performs alongside Made Kuti and The Movement band, where he has become one of the notable stage performers associated with the new generation of Afrobeat expression.

His performances with the Kuti family have also taken him beyond Nigeria, including appearances at major international exhibitions such as the Fela Exposition at the Philharmonie de Paris.

Speaking on his planned Guinness World Record attempt, Bendancer described the project as more than just a physical challenge, noting that it also represents cultural advocacy, artistic endurance and youth inspiration.

According to him, dance remains a powerful tool for storytelling, activism and social change, especially within Afrobeat culture pioneered by the late Fela Kuti.

Beyond stage performances, Bendancer is also the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Bendancer Academy International, where he trains young dancers and promotes discipline, creativity and a drug-free lifestyle among youths.

The dancer has consistently advocated for the use of dance as a tool for empowerment and cultural preservation, often emphasizing the role performance art played in Afrobeat protests and social consciousness movements.

Over the years, Bendancer has performed at several high-profile events including the Big Brother Naija Grand Finale and Global Citizen Live.

He has also shared stages and collaborated with notable Nigerian music stars including M.I Abaga, Ice Prince and B.O.C Madaki.

The planned Guinness World Record attempt is already generating attention within the entertainment industry, with supporters describing it as a major moment for Nigerian dance culture and creative endurance on the global stage.