Hilda Baci Birthday:	20 September, 1995
Birth Name:	Hilda Effiong Bassey
Place of Birth:	Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
Ethnicity/Tribe	Ibibio
Education:	Madonna University
Net Worth:	$500,000 (₦742 Million)

Nigerian celebrity chef, entrepreneur, actress, and a two-time Guinness World Record holder Effiong Bassey popularly known as Hilda Baci was on born September 20, 199 in Nsit Ubium, Akwa Ibom State. She is from the Ibibio ethnic group.

Her passion for cooking was inspired by her mother, Lynda Ndukwe, who is also a chef and ran a restaurant in Abuja, the Calabar Pot.

Growing up in Calabar with her three siblings, she was raised by her mother Lynda, who made ends meet selling ‘mama put’ – Nigerian street food. The family eventually relocated to Baci’s father is Effiong Bassey Eden.

Education: She graduated from Madonna University, Okija, with a degree in sociology, even though her heart was always in the kitchen.

Baci has openly discussed facing early struggles, including a period of homelessness, which fueled her determination.

Fame: In 2020, Baci established her restaurant and delivery business, My Food by Hilda, in Lekki, Lagos. She was the host of the television show Dine on a Budget on Pop Central TV. In 2021, she won the Jollof Faceoff competition, where she represented Nigeria. She has also appeared in several films, including A Walk on Water and Mr. & Mrs. Robert. 

Guinness World Records: She is celebrated for her culinary expertise and her ambitious record-breaking attempts.

Longest cooking marathon (2023): In May 2023, Baci gained international recognition after cooking for 93 hours and 11 minutes in a “cook-a-thon.” The record was certified by Guinness World Records. The attempt drew massive public support and inspired a trend of other endurance-based record attempts across Nigeria. Her record was later broken by an Irish chef in November 2023.

Largest quantity of jollof rice (2025): In September 2025, she achieved a new Guinness World Record for cooking the largest quantity of jollof rice. The record-breaking event, which weighed over 8.7 tonnes, was a major celebration of Nigerian cuisine.

In 2023, Baci was honored with The Future Awards Africa Young Person of the Year.

Hilda Baci’s culinary achievements have made her a global icon of resilience and a source of inspiration for many young Africans, especially women. Her efforts have not only showcased Nigerian cuisine to a global audience but have also demonstrated how passion and determination can push human limits. 

Hilda Baci Net Worth:

Hilda Baci has an estimated net worth of $500,000 US dollars that’s about ₦742 million naira. She is the CEO of “My Food by Hilda,” a premium restaurant and delivery service in Lekki, Lagos. Her restaurant is a consistent source of revenue.

While Guinness World Records does not offer cash prizes, Baci’s two record-breaking events significantly boosted her brand visibility and opened new doors for opportunities.

The fame from her cook-a-thons led to several high-profile brand ambassadorships.

Gino and Bama: In November 2023, she signed a deal with GBFoods, becoming a brand ambassador for their Gino and Bama mayonnaise products. This partnership was reportedly renewed in May 2025.

Lush Hair: In August 2025, she secured another ambassadorship deal with Lush Hair.

Real estate: Several real estate firms have gifted Baci plots of land in recognition of her achievements.

• In-Motions Business Limited gifted her land worth N3.5 million in May 2023.
• Zylus Homes allocated her a plot of land worth N30 million in March 2024.

Cooking classes: Baci has successfully monetized her cooking skills by offering culinary classes. A 2023 report mentioned a class with over 1,000 participants who paid N30,000 each.

TV and acting: She earns income as a television host and actress.

Other income streams: Before her worldwide fame, Baci revealed that she earned up to N4 million monthly as a chef, according to a 2023 Facebook post.

Personal Life:

Hilda Baci is in a relationship with music executive Damilola Akinwunmi, also known as Dapper or Dapper Damm; the CEO of Dapper Group a artist management, music distribution and entertainment company.

The couple has been together since before Hilda Baci gained international fame from her 2023 cook-a-thon. While the couple was initially private, they have recently become more public with their relationship. Baci publicly celebrated her 30th birthday in September 2025 with Dapper, affectionately sharing photos and videos of him at the party. During the birthday event, Baci was seen wearing a diamond ring, leading to speculation that the couple was engaged.

While Baci has previously stated she feels no pressure from society to get married, she has expressed a desire to marry the person she is happy with. Recent events, including her birthday celebration and the appearance of the ring, have fueled public anticipation of a future wedding.