Seventeen-year-old Munachi Odulukwe has etched her name into Nigeria’s swimming history after setting a remarkable record at the country’s maiden participation in the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson (WLSL), an international initiative promoting water safety and drowning prevention.
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Odulukwe, a Senior Secondary School 2 student of Emerald High School, emerged as the overall best performer in the Dead Man Float survival challenge after recording an impressive 1 hour, 21 minutes and 7 seconds (1:21:07).
The historic event was held on Friday at Emerald High School, Asese, Ogun State, marking Nigeria’s debut in the 17th edition of the global swimming campaign organised by Swim in 1 Day Africa (SID Africa) under the theme, “Swimming Lessons Save Lives.”
The programme brought together hundreds of students who received survival swimming lessons and participated in competitions aimed at raising awareness about drowning prevention, particularly in Africa, where drowning remains a major public health concern.
The Dead Man Float challenge, one of the competition’s highlights, tests swimmers’ ability to remain afloat for extended periods using minimal movement, a critical survival technique during water emergencies.
Odulukwe’s outstanding performance placed her comfortably ahead of the competition. Chinwendu Okoye finished second with a time of 41 minutes and 21 seconds, while 12-year-old Toni Ajayi secured third place after recording 13 minutes and 15 seconds.
Speaking after her victory, an excited Odulukwe described the challenge as physically demanding but rewarding.
“Spending more than one hour in the water requires a lot of endurance and determination. Although this wasn’t my first attempt, I stayed focused because I wanted to complete the challenge successfully,” she said.
She also emphasised the importance of swimming as a life-saving skill.
“Swimming is more than just a sport. It is a skill that can save your life or someone else’s during an emergency,” she added.
Runner-up Chinwendu Okoye said the competition pushed her beyond her previous swimming experience.
“I’ve practised butterfly and breaststroke before, but this challenge was completely different. It tested both my strength and patience,” she said.
Third-place finisher Toni Ajayi described the event as an unforgettable experience despite competing for the first time.
“I am still learning, but I really enjoyed myself. Swimming helps me stay fit and also relieves stress,” the young swimmer said.
The Vice Principal of Emerald High School, Samson Akano, praised the students for their impressive performances, saying schools should continue to combine academic excellence with sporting development.
“Education should not be limited to the classroom. Sporting and other co-curricular activities help build confidence, discipline and life skills among students,” he said.
Convener of Swim in 1 Day Africa, Emeka Chuks-Nnadi, described Nigeria’s debut in the global initiative as a major milestone for water safety education.
According to him, many of the participants had never entered a swimming pool before the programme, but successfully overcame their fears through the organisation’s training methods.
He commended Odulukwe’s resilience and determination, noting that her record-breaking performance demonstrated what young Nigerians can achieve with proper guidance and confidence.
“Swimming goes beyond competition. It is a life-saving skill that everyone should learn,” Chuks-Nnadi said.
He also disclosed that the organisation is working to develop future Olympic and Paralympic swimmers while providing swimming lessons for about 70 visually impaired students as part of its commitment to inclusion.
Chuks-Nnadi called on parents to encourage children with swimming talent, expressing confidence that consistent training could produce Nigeria’s next generation of international champions.
At the end of the competition, outstanding participants, including the winners, were presented with certificates and scholarships in recognition of their achievements.
Nigeria’s successful debut at the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson marks another important step in promoting water safety awareness while inspiring more young people to embrace swimming as both a competitive sport and an essential life skill.
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