Nigerian autistic teenager sets world record in painting

In an effort to raise awareness about autism and the challenges faced by autistic people, a 15-year-old Nigerian boy has set a Guinness World Record for the world's largest canvas art.

Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke, an autistic boy, created the artwork from a multi-colored ribbon - a symbol of autism, and surrounded by "emojis" on a canvas measuring 12,304 square meters, much larger than the size of a regular football field (7,140 square meters).

The artwork was created in November 2024 and was unveiled and officially recognized by Guinness World Records in the Nigerian capital Abuja on World Autism Awareness Day last April.

Tagbo-Okeke was born in Canada before moving to Nigeria and had a difficult upbringing.

Many people with autism face stigma and limited resources in Nigeria, but the family is determined to support Tagbo-Okeke as best they can. The young artist's record-breaking effort, along with a campaign called "The Impossible is a Myth," has been praised by Nigerians.

Nigeria's Minister of Arts and Culture, Hannatu Musawa, said Tagbo-Okeke's artwork was a "beacon of hope and inspiration" for people with autism.

Boy Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke. (Photo: AP)

Meanwhile, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu also congratulated: "You are brave, bold and persistent. Congratulations. Your story has made history and Nigeria is proud of you, Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke."

Tagbo-Okeke's initiative also raises funds for Zeebah, a non-profit organization that supports people with autism and their families.

In Nigeria, as in many other countries, autism is often diagnosed later and there is little official data.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one in every 100 children worldwide has autism./.

(Vietnam News Agency/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/thieu-nien-tu-ky-nguoi-nigeria-lap-ky-luc-the-gioi-ve-hoi-hoa-post1036383.vnp