Nigerian Lawyer Sets World Record for Fastest Will Ever Drafted – Completes Legal Document in Just 10 Minutes
In an extraordinary display of legal precision and speed, UK-based Nigerian lawyer, Michael Nnamdi Ezimoha, has earned international recognition after setting a world record for the fastest time to draft a legally valid will. According to a NewsVista reporter, Ezimoha completed the feat in just 10 minutes and 47 seconds, drafting a fully compliant legal document from start to finish — a first-of-its-kind achievement in global legal history.
The record-breaking attempt took place in London on August 16, 2024, and has since been officially certified by the World Record Committee (WRC), a California-based body dedicated to acknowledging exceptional human accomplishments across a wide range of disciplines. The WRC confirmed that the will, prepared for a client identified as John Oluwatosin Oladimeji, met all the legal standards required under UK law following a thorough verification process.
In an exclusive insight shared with NewsVista, Ezimoha revealed that the inspiration behind the attempt was deeply rooted in his passion for public education on estate planning. With over a decade of legal experience in wills and succession law, he explained that the challenge was not just about speed but about encouraging Nigerians and Africans at large to begin thinking seriously about the importance of planning for the future.
Ezimoha stressed that far too many people, especially in Nigeria, pass away without a will — a situation that often throws grieving families into avoidable legal and emotional crises. For him, this record was more than a personal milestone; it was a bold campaign to promote awareness around end-of-life planning, demystify the will-writing process, and encourage people of all income levels to take action early.
The WRC’s certification process was extensive. According to information obtained by NewsVista, Ezimoha’s team submitted a detailed video of the entire drafting session, witness statements, a jurisdiction-specific legal checklist, and assessments by independent legal experts to confirm the document’s validity and compliance. Legal accuracy was non-negotiable — the will had to reflect the client’s wishes, be enforceable in court, and meet all professional drafting standards.
Following his success, Ezimoha announced plans to launch a nationwide campaign across Nigeria, offering free workshops, digital resources, and collaborations with local legal practitioners. The goal, he said, is to break cultural misconceptions that wills are only for the wealthy or elderly and to encourage more Nigerians — young and old — to see it as a basic act of care and responsibility.
He also credited the professional support system that helped make the attempt possible, including his colleagues at Thomas Boyd Whyte Solicitors, witnesses Henrietta Oforma and Victor Okutu, and media documentation partners Derealone Visuals and Pride Lens Photography.
This groundbreaking achievement positions Ezimoha among a new wave of Nigerians gaining international recognition for remarkable feats. He now joins the ranks of chef Hilda Baci, who broke the world cooking marathon record, and chess master Tunde Onakoya, who set a new benchmark in chess endurance at Times Square in New York.
The WRC described Ezimoha’s accomplishment as the first legally themed global record ever set by a Nigerian — and a landmark moment in legal innovation. His story stands not just as a personal triumph, but as a reminder of the power of purpose-driven excellence.