“If They Won’t Write My Legacy, I’ll Write It Myself” — Ebaide Udoh Calls Out Guinness World Records After Rejection of Historic African Motorcycle Journey
In a heartfelt and emotional video that has quickly gained attention across social media platforms, Nigerian adventurer and motorcyclist Ebaide Udoh has shared her painful experience after the Guinness World Records (GWR) rejected her application for recognition of what could have been a historic solo motorcycle journey across Africa by a woman.
“I’m making this video with a heavy heart,” Ebaide began, her voice steady yet heavy with disappointment. Known for her incredible feat of traveling across 20 African countries on a 250cc motorcycle, Ebaide had applied to the GWR in hopes of officially documenting her journey — a trailblazing effort in the world of African female motorcyclists.
Instead of waiting the standard 12 to 20 weeks for feedback, she opted for the priority application, paying $1,000 to expedite the process. Just three days later, she was met with a crushing rejection.
“They gave two reasons for the rejection: they said the record doesn’t exist — that they don’t recognize it as a Guinness World Record title. And they said my journey wasn’t personal, and I had to apply through the business consultation service,” she explained.
Unwilling to accept the vague and dismissive response, Ebaide took it upon herself to respond with facts — and receipts. “I showed them three people who are already holding this record they said doesn’t exist. The only difference now is that I am African.”
Despite proving that her journey was 100% solo and self-funded, Ebaide’s follow-up was again rejected. This time, she said, without explanation — only a redirection to pay £10,000 (over 20 million Naira) for a business consultation service.
“If I was rejected because I don’t qualify, that would make sense and I would accept it gracefully. But I was rejected because I couldn’t afford to pay £10,000… for a service that my journey doesn’t even qualify for,” she said, referencing Guinness’ own website, which clearly states that such services are meant for government agencies and charities — not individuals like her.
What came next, she described, was even more devastating:
“I requested a refund… The next morning when I logged into my account, it was totally erased — like I never even applied, like it never existed, like I don’t exist.”
Though shaken, Ebaide remains unbroken.
“For a moment, it broke me. I felt unworthy, undeserving, like my story doesn’t matter. But my story does — because I have survived and done the impossible,” she affirmed, recalling her journey from disability to determination. “I lost my legs, lived on a wheelchair, did surgery, and now I ride with screws and rods holding my spinal cord together.”
Defying the odds, Ebaide is far from done. She has announced that Season 3 of her journey — a ride from South Africa to Kenya — will go ahead. But this time, it will be for a bigger cause:
“I’ll be riding to raise funds for African female orphans like me.”
In a powerful declaration of ownership and resilience, she added:
“No one in the world has my story. So if they won’t write my legacy, I’ll write it myself.”
Ebaide also announced that on her upcoming birthday, she will unveil a new platform — “a legacy movement for Africans by Africans.”
With grit, grace, and unmatched courage, Ebaide Udoh continues to inspire a generation of dreamers and doers across the continent — showing the world that even without validation, your story still matters.
Watch her video here.
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