FG, Lagos Celebrate Guinness World Record Feat by Autistic Teen Artist

The Federal Government and the Lagos State Government have applauded 15-year-old Nigerian artist, Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke, for setting a Guinness World Record (GWR) with the largest painting on canvas by an individual.

Kanyeyachukwu, who is autistic, achieved the remarkable feat in April with his artwork titled “Impossibility is a Myth.” The painting spans an impressive 12,303.87 square metres, surpassing the previous record of about 9,652m².

The Guinness-recognised achievement was unveiled during a special exhibition in Lagos, which also highlighted the E1 Boat Team’s clean energy innovations, celebrating the synergy between art, sustainability, and environmental responsibility.

In a statement on Sunday, the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hanatu Musawa, described Kanyeyachukwu as “a gift to humanity” and “a poster child for the power of creativity and art therapy.”

> “What Kanye has done with the sort of worth Almighty has given him is truly a gift back to humanity. By using his passion for art, he has put Nigeria on a global platform. This is huge for both art and therapy,” Musawa said.
“He is an inspiration to families dealing with disabilities and a symbol of what creativity can achieve.”

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in his goodwill message, commended the young artist for promoting inclusivity and acceptance through his work.
He noted that Kanyeyachukwu’s masterpiece carries “a strong message of hope and recognition for people with autism,” urging Nigerians to build a more inclusive society.