In an effort to raise awareness of autism and the challenges faced by autistic people, a 15-year-old Nigerian boy has made global headlines after he set a Guinness World Record for the world’s largest art canvas.
Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke, who is autistic, created a work of art with a multicolored ribbon, a symbol of autism, surrounded by “emojis” on a canvas measuring 12,304 square meters, much larger than the size of a typical football field, which is 7,140 square meters.
The artwork was created in November 2024. It was unveiled and officially recognized by Guinness World Records organizers in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, during World Autism Acceptance Day in April.
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“I felt fine. Happy. Just fine,” Tagbo-Okeke told the Associated Press. His painting eclipsed that of the previous world record holder, Emad Salehi, who was nearly three times older at 42 when he set the record with a 9,652-square-meter canvas.
Tagbo-Okeke was born in Canada before moving to Nigeria, and his upbringing was challenging, his family said. Many people on the spectrum face stigma and limited resources in Nigeria, but Tagbo-Okeke’s family was determined to give him the best support they could.
Nigerians celebrate the record
The young artist’s record-breaking attempt, accompanied by a campaign entitled “Impossibility is a myth,” was celebrated among Nigerians.
Nigeria’s Minister of Arts and Culture, Hannatu Musawa, said Tagbo-Okeke’s artwork was “a beacon of hope and inspiration” for people with autism.
Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu also congratulated the teenager.
“You are Brave, Audacious, and Tenacious. Congratulations on your recognition. Your story has made history, and Nigeria is proud of you, Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke,” he wrote on X.
Kanyeyachukwu’s initiative was also aimed at raising funds for the Zeebah Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing support for people with autism and their families.
In Nigeria, as in many other countries, autism is often diagnosed later in life and there is no official data in the country. However, according to the WHO, approximately one in 100 children worldwide is autistic.