Digital Gold Rush: Becky Joe Attempts Guinness World Record to Turn Nigerian Smartphones into “Money Machines”
LAGOS — Nigerian social media strategist and CEO of TBJ Media Group, Becky Joe, has successfully completed her ambitious attempt to set a new Guinness World Record (GWR) for the largest social media marketing lesson ever held.
The event, held at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Sports Centre on Thursday, February 19, 2026, drew thousands of participants—both in-person and virtually—shattering the previous record of 2,185 participants. The attempt, themed “From Posts to Cash: How to Use Social Media Platforms to Promote Yourself, Skills, Products, and Services,” seeks to officially position Nigeria as a global hub for digital education.
While the official verification from Guinness World Records is pending, the sheer volume of attendees—estimated at over 3,500—suggests a successful displacement of the previous record holder. The initiative also featured the distribution of smartphones, digital tools, and cash prizes to ensure that participants didn’t just leave with knowledge, but with the actual hardware required to start their digital enterprises immediately.
The Mission: Ending Digital Poverty
For Becky Joe, the record is more than a title; it is a strategic strike against youth unemployment. The Inspiration: Becky revealed that her journey began with a broken Infinix phone given to her by her father. Years later, she used her skills to help her 65-year-old father’s bedsheet business go viral on TikTok. The Goal: She aims to empower 3,000 young Africans to earn between ₦50,000 and ₦100,000 monthly by mastering platform behaviors on TikTok, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter). The Impact: “My mission is not just the numbers,” Becky stated during the lesson. “It is to help young Africans turn their smartphones into money-making machines.”
Lagos State Throws Weight Behind “The Lesson”
The Lagos State Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment has officially endorsed the initiative, viewing it as a vital tool for economic relevance. The Endorsement: Commissioner Akinyemi Ajigbotafe, who attended the event, praised the initiative for aligning with Governor Sanwo-Olu’s mandate to drive sustainable employment. The Vision: “The digital economy offers limitless opportunities,” Ajigbotafe said. “Lagos is determined to ensure our young people are prepared to compete and win.” Next Steps: The state government confirmed that the impact will extend beyond the record attempt through a three-month blended learning programme designed to provide participants with actionable digital capabilities.
Surpassing the Benchmark
While the official verification from Guinness World Records is pending, the sheer volume of attendees—estimated at over 3,500—suggests a successful displacement of the previous record holder. The initiative also featured the distribution of smartphones, digital tools, and cash prizes to ensure that participants didn’t just leave with knowledge, but with the actual hardware required to start their digital enterprises immediately.