A Nigerian doctor and artist, Fola David-Tolaram, has made history by creating the world’s largest drawing by an individual, earning recognition from the Guinness World Records.
The groundbreaking artwork, announced Thursday on the Guinness World Records website, spans an incredible 1,004.7 m² (10,814.5 ft²), roughly the size of 3.8 tennis courts. It was completed on the pitch at Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos and serves as a tribute to Nigeria’s diverse cultural heritage.
David-Tolaram, 31, described his creation as a map of Nigeria that highlights the nation’s many cultures. “Nigeria is a multi-cultural nation. I wanted to create something that speaks to that and give people an avenue to celebrate their cultures,” he said.
Titled The Unity of Diversity, the artwork reflects Nigeria’s distinct traditions through representations of food, clothing, festivals, and music from various regions.
Before embarking on the record-breaking drawing, David-Tolaram traveled across Nigeria, immersing himself in its diverse cultures. “It was this experience that I brought to the stadium to create this drawing,” he explained.
The massive project took six days to complete on a 1,360 m² canvas, with David-Tolaram using waterproof markers. The setup alone took two days to arrange the canvases. Although he initially planned to work from the center outward in a circular motion, he adapted his approach as the project progressed, working between sections as needed.
Reflecting on the daunting challenge, David-Tolaram recalled feeling apprehensive before starting. “I remember standing right in the centre of this canvas, about to start this drawing, and feeling a lot of apprehension and fear. For five minutes I stood there making sure I conditioned myself for the beginning of such a challenge,” he said.
However, once he began, his confidence grew. “The moment my marker touched the canvas, there was no going back. All the fear had gone away,” he added.
Throughout the project, David-Tolaram was energized by the support of crowds who gathered at the 5,000-seat stadium. He described the atmosphere as “electrifying.”
Now officially a Guinness World Records titleholder, David-Tolaram expressed his disbelief and pride. “Holding a Guinness World Records title is absolutely unbelievable. I grew up reading about world records and never thought I would be a record title holder. I’m still trying to process the emotion of this entire thing, but I feel very honoured, distinguished, and Officially Amazing,” he said.
