Hilda Baci shuts down talk about her success

Nigerian celebrity chef and Guinness World Records holder Hilda Baci has responded to comments suggesting that her success is largely connected to her romantic partner, Damilola Akinwunmi, popularly known as Dapper.

The chef expressed her displeasure during an interview shared by Goldmyne TV on Saturday, explaining that such comments reflect the way society views successful women and their achievements.

Baci admitted that although the remarks do not necessarily annoy her, they sometimes leave her upset because they appear to overlook the hard work women put into building their careers.

“I wouldn’t say it annoys me, but it is sometimes upsetting. But I think that it just goes to show where we are as people and what the mindset is, and that also tells how much work and further we need to go,” she said.

She further explained that the experience has made her more intentional about representing herself and other women. According to her, she wants to use her influence to encourage more women and create opportunities for them to succeed.

“That’s why I’m so intentional about putting in so much effort in representing myself, representing women and just giving more women an opportunity to do better for themselves as well,” she added.

Her comments have brought attention to a wider conversation about how women’s achievements are sometimes linked to the men in their lives rather than their individual efforts.

For many women, the issue goes beyond celebrity relationships. It reflects a familiar experience in which a woman’s hard work, determination and professional accomplishments can be overlooked or attributed to the financial support or influence of a male partner.

While having a supportive partner can make a difference in someone’s journey, it does not necessarily mean that the partner should receive credit for everything that person has achieved.

Baci has built a name for herself through her culinary business and impressive cooking accomplishments. She gained international recognition in 2023 after setting a Guinness World Record for the longest cooking marathon by an individual, completing 93 hours and 11 minutes of cooking.

In September 2025, she also made headlines for preparing 8,780 kilogrammes of Nigerian-style jollof rice, earning additional Guinness World Records recognition.

Her partner, Dapper, is a music executive and entrepreneur who founded Dapper Music and Dapper Group.

Ultimately, Baci’s response highlights the importance of recognising individual effort, particularly when it comes to women pursuing their ambitions. Her message is a reminder that support from others can be valuable, but personal dedication and hard work also deserve recognition.

As conversations about women’s independence and achievements continue, her remarks have encouraged a closer look at how society gives credit to successful women.