11-Year-Old Munachi Odulukwe Shatters 'Dead Man Float' Record at Nigeria's WLSL Debut

Posted : 29 June 2026

An 11-year-old student, Munachi Odulukwe, has etched her name into Nigeria's swimming history after setting a remarkable 1:21:23 'Dead Man Float' record during the country's maiden participation in the 17th Annual World's Largest Swimming Lesson (WLSL), held at Emerald High School, Ogun State.

The historic feat came during the inaugural life-saving swimming clinic organised by Swim in 1 Day (SID) Africa, Nigeria's only non-governmental swimming organisation, as part of the global campaign promoting water safety and drowning prevention.

The event brought together 105 students in a simultaneous worldwide swimming education programme designed to promote life-saving swimming skills under the theme, "Swimming Lessons Save Lives."

Odulukwe, a Year 8 (JSS2) student, emerged as the overall best performer after sustaining the survival float for one hour, 21 minutes and 23 seconds, an achievement organisers described as unprecedented for a first-time participant.

Her performance earned her a 12-day SID Africa swimming scholarship valued at ₦600,000 and recognition as the new holder of the SID Africa Dead Man Float World Record.

According to organisers, the achievement demonstrated the effectiveness of survival swimming instruction delivered through patience, encouragement, and practical teaching, reinforcing the campaign's central message that "Anyone can drown, no one should."

The programme commenced with an opening ceremony during which students, instructors, and spectators united in chanting the campaign slogans, "Anyone can drown, no one should," and "Swimming Lessons Save Lives," before welcoming participants to Nigeria's first-ever World's Largest Swimming Lesson.

Adding inspiration to the event was a motivational display by members of the SID Junior Paralympic Preparatory Swim Team, including one-legged para swimmer Femi and visually impaired swimmer Segun, who showcased professional swimming techniques, handstands, somersaults, and the Dead Man Float while encouraging participants to overcome fear and embrace resilience.

Between 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., participants rotated through three one-hour instructional sessions conducted solely by SID Africa founder Emeka Chuks-Nnadi, popularly known as Swim Guru, with support from three professional lifeguards and several deck supervisors.

Chuks-Nnadi, who is also a Global Ambassador of the Swim Global Project (SGP), adopted a customised WLSL curriculum that prioritised teaching the Dead Man Float survival technique to both swimmers and non-swimmers, deviating from the standard global model to enable more participants to acquire critical life-saving skills within a short period.

The approach culminated in a survival endurance challenge in which participants attempted to remain afloat for as long as possible.

Sixteen-year-old Chinwendu Okoye finished second after floating for 41 minutes and 21 seconds, earning a six-day scholarship worth ₦300,000.

Tooni Ajayi, 12, claimed third place with 13 minutes and 33 seconds, while Zara Ikpefan Oluwatobi, 16, placed fourth after recording 12 minutes and 17 seconds. Both received three-day scholarships valued at ₦150,000 each.

Speaking after her record-breaking achievement, Odulukwe admitted the challenge tested her endurance but said determination carried her through.

"The one hour spent in the water is a lot of stress, but determination helped me complete it successfully," she said.

Second-placed Okoye described the exercise as far more demanding than conventional swimming.

"I have practised butterfly and breaststroke, but this was extraordinary," she said.

Ajayi, who participated as a beginner, expressed delight at the experience, noting that swimming offers both fitness and stress relief.

"I am a starter, but I had a wonderful time," she said.

Organisers described the Dead Man Float for one hour as an extraordinary demonstration of breath control, composure, and lung capacity, particularly for a beginner.

They noted that beginner survival floating typically lasts only a few minutes and suggested that Odulukwe's accomplishment could represent a unique or unprecedented milestone.

Beyond the top four finishers, several students recorded commendable performances, including Sogbhe Kameng (12:26), Olusegun Michelle (5:17), Eze Prosperity (3:48), Chiditerem Santiago (3:15), Okorie Mike (2:54), Enock (1:47), Lengthor (1:41), Darasimi Iyiola (1:21), Annie Faderin (1:20), Ofor Mercy (49 seconds), Yagazie Eme (37 seconds), Omovbide Tsabelle (32 seconds), Solomon (28 seconds), Eniola (26 seconds), and Chukwu Johnbull James (19 seconds).

Several of the participants were non-swimmers before receiving their first swimming lesson during the programme.

The event concluded with a colourful closing ceremony featuring award presentations, group photographs, and renewed advocacy ahead of World Drowning Prevention Day on July 25.

Although the first- and second-place winners were unable to receive their prizes personally due to exhaustion, a teacher accepted the awards on their behalf.

The Vice Principal of Emerald High School received two WLSL certificates on behalf of the institution, while Sports Editor Enoch Akojede presented awards to the outstanding performers.

All 105 participants are expected to receive participation certificates through their school.

Throughout the programme, the Swim in 1 Day Water Safety Anthem reinforced the campaign's message of prioritising water safety and drowning prevention.

SID Africa noted that while official documentation focused on participants who sustained the Dead Man Float for at least one minute, every student who entered the water demonstrated courage and made meaningful progress.

The organisation stressed that with continued training, beginners would improve significantly and gain confidence in survival swimming.

SID Africa is the continent's only organisation combining charity, public awareness, and swimming education to promote water safety, survival swimming, hydrotherapy, and drowning prevention, particularly among underserved communities.

The World's Largest Swimming Lesson is an annual global initiative aimed at increasing awareness of swimming education and water safety through simultaneous lessons across participating countries.

Nigeria's debut focused on reducing drowning incidents, especially in Africa, which accounts for a significant proportion of global drowning fatalities.

The successful debut highlighted the growing importance of water safety education in Nigeria, with organisers hoping the programme will inspire more schools and communities to embrace swimming lessons as a vital life-saving skill.

11-Year-Old Munachi Odulukwe Shatters 'Dead Man Float' Record at Nigeria's WLSL Debut

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