A 15-year-old Nigerian teenager has set a Guinness World Record for the world’s largest painting on a canvas, using art to raise awareness about autism.
Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke, who is autistic, created a 12,304-square-meter artwork larger than a soccer field — featuring a multi-colored autism awareness ribbon surrounded by emojis. The previous record of 9,652 square meters was held by 42-year-old Iranian artist Emad Salehi.
“I felt fine. Happy. Just fine,” Tagbo-Okeke said, speaking through the limitations of his speech disorder.
The painting, completed in November 2024, was unveiled in Abuja during World Autism Awareness Day in April and was officially recognized by Guinness World Records.
Nigeria’s Minister of Art and Culture, Hannatu Musawa, called the work “a beacon of hope and inspiration,” adding that the government is committed to creating opportunities for people with autism in the creative industries.
Born in Canada and later relocating to Nigeria, Tagbo-Okeke’s early years were marked by challenges. His father, Tagbo Okeke, said the journey was filled with “fear, confusion and sadness,” especially before his son’s diagnosis in Canada.
“Not being able to communicate with your son or have regular activities you could have with any other child is quite depressing,” he said.
Tagbo-Okeke’s world record attempt was part of a campaign titled “Impossibility is a Myth,” aimed at raising funds for the Zeebah Foundation, a nonprofit organization supporting individuals on the autism spectrum in Nigeria.
His mother, Silvia, said the achievement brought immense relief and pride. “We felt an overwhelming sense of relief and pride, knowing the countless hours and months of effort he poured into breaking the record,” she said.
Nigeria has seen a rise in record-breaking attempts in recent years. At least seven Nigerians have earned Guinness World Records since 2021, including chef Hilda Baci for the longest cooking marathon and chess master Tunde Onakoya for the longest chess marathon.
Experts say autism awareness in Nigeria remains low, and many children are not diagnosed until later in life. The World Health Organization estimates that 1 in 100 children globally is autistic.
Stanley Effah, founder of the Ferdinand Effah Music Heritage Foundation and father of an autistic child, said his organization plans to launch an annual music concert to promote autism awareness. He also urged the Nigerian government to include stem cell therapy for autistic children in the National Health Insurance Scheme.
Tagbo-Okeke’s parents said early intervention played a key role in their son’s development and ability to function independently. He was diagnosed in Canada after several failed attempts in Nigeria, which eventually led to support tailored to his needs.
“We’ve done a lot of work with him,” his father said. “Kanye can tidy his room, he can wash his clothes all of this is because of early intervention. If left alone, he definitely would not be able to do these things.”