Shehu Bamidele is a prominent Nigerian pool and snooker player. He has competed at high levels within Nigeria, including snooker tournaments.
In 2023, he won the Joy Heyball Masters Qualifier, earning the right to represent Nigeria in an international snooker/pool tour. His career reflects strong technical skill, endurance, and a growing ambition to elevate cue sports in Nigeria
At Poolfest Naija 2025 (held at Silverbird Galleria, Victoria Island, Lagos), Bamidele attempted a Guinness World Record for the longest 8-ball pool marathon by an individual.
He played continuously (with structured rest breaks allowed under the rules) and surpassed previous benchmarks.
Initially reported that he clocked 120 hours in his attempt, pending Guinness verification.
Later, Guinness World Records officially confirmed him as the record holder with a time of 98 hours, 26 minutes, and 37 seconds.
The attempt followed rigorous Guinness guidelines: a 24-hour witness rotation, constant documentation, professional adjudication, and digital & manual scorekeeping.
Bamidele credited the achievement not just to personal endurance, but to teamwork, community support, and the broader mission of promoting cue sports in Nigeria.
His record brings global attention to 8-ball pool in Nigeria, positioning the country on the world map for cue sports.
It could inspire greater participation, investment, and development of snooker and pool locally, especially among youth.
Playing pool for nearly four full days is not just a physical feat but a mental one. The discipline, concentration, and stamina required are immense.
His successful preparation (including a 4-day test run) showed his strategic planning and commitment.
Poolfest Naija isn’t just a sports event — it’s a blend of sport, entertainment, and youth culture. Bamidele’s record attempt became a focal point for this larger cultural moment.
His achievement is being celebrated as a national milestone, highlighting how “niche” sports can contribute to national pride.
While the 120-hour target was ambitious, his final confirmed record (98 hours) is still ground-breaking.
With this recognition, he may attempt even more ambitious records or inspire others in Nigeria or Africa to pursue endurance records in cue sports.
There’s potential for leveraging this momentum to build infrastructure (pool halls, training academies) and advocate for cue sports as part of Nigeria’s broader sports and entertainment economy.
Shehu Bamidele’s Guinness World Record is more than a personal victory — it’s a landmark achievement for Nigerian cue sports. By showcasing endurance, skill, and ambition, he is helping redefine what’s possible in 8-ball pool and elevating the game’s profile in his home country and beyond.
