Lagos Now Labelled Chess Capital Of West Africa

The 2025 Ecobank National Schools’ Team Chess Championship concluded on Saturday, June 28, after three days of inspiring competition, mentorship and youth engagement at the Ecobank Pan African Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos.

The tournament brought together 1,830 students from 366 schools across Nigeria and featured a prize pool exceeding 20 million naira, solidifying its reputation as a national platform for strategic thinking, education and empowerment.

Day one of the championship began with the primary school competition. Jareb Private School emerged as champions, winning the top prize of 2 million naira. Chess in Slums Africa placed second with 1.5 million naira, while Baptist Group of Schools secured third place, earning 1 million naira.

Speaking on the opening day, Angela Babalola, Senior Manager, Total Quality Management, Customer Relations and Experience at MTN Nigeria, said, “As an organisation, we’re honoured to partner with Ecobank because we’re extremely passionate about youth empowerment and education. We don’t see chess as just a game. We see it as a platform for mind development and a way to position these future leaders to Go Make A Difference in their world.”

Students with Tunde Onakoya at the 2025 Ecobank National Schools’ Team Chess Championship 

Chess grandmaster and MTN Go M.A.D ambassador Tunde Onakoya, founder of Chess in Slums Africa and Guinness World Record holder, made a strong impression at the event. On the first day, he moved through the competition hall, observing games, offering encouragement and posing for photos with young players and presenting awards.

MTN’s Go M.A.D. (Make A Difference) philosophy reflects the company’s commitment to empowering young Nigerians through education, sports and skills development. By supporting platforms like the National Schools’ Team Chess Championship, MTN aims to help young people unlock their potential, build confidence and develop the critical thinking skills needed to thrive in life and leadership.

On Tunde Onakoya’s consistency and visibility, Prince Adeyinka Adewale, Vice President of the Nigeria Chess Federation, said, “Mr. Tunde Onakoya not only attended on Day One, but stayed throughout the tournament, mentoring, supporting and inspiring students. His presence reminds us of all the power of consistency, visibility and love for the game.”

On day two, the secondary school division took the stage. Platform School claimed the top prize of 2.5 million naira, followed by Daysprings Secondary School with 2 million naira and Shima Academy with 1.5 million naira. 

Platform School, first place winners of the 2025 Ecobank National Schools’ Team Chess Championship in the secondary school category

Among the standout participants was Bethesda School for the Blind. Prince Adewale acknowledged their achievement, saying, “It is very important that we celebrate this school. They did not only participate in the secondary category, but they also won some games. They did not come without winning. They won some games. I would believe that by the time we have more of this inclusivity, we are going to have a lot more participation from [other people living with disabilities].”

Students of Bethesda School of the Blind at the 2025 Ecobank National Schools’ Team Chess Championship 

The tournament concluded with the tertiary school competition on day three. The University of Lagos emerged victorious, winning 1 million naira. Nnamdi Azikiwe University came second with 500,000 naira, and Obafemi Awolowo University placed third, earning 325,000 naira.

UNILAG, first place winners of the Ecobank National Schools’ Team Chess Championship in the tertiary category

During the closing ceremony, Prince Adewale described the impact of the tournament and its growth over the past year. “Lagos has become the chess capital of West Africa,” he said. “The efforts, time and sacrifice, all into every stage, from coordination to logistics, registration to venue setup, have all been worth it. Because today, we close an event that has exceeded expectations in both scale and impact.”

He noted that planning for this year’s edition began immediately after the 2024 event, with strategic partners like Ecobank Nigeria, MTN Nigeria and Schoolmate deeply involved from the early stages. He also highlighted the increased investment in youth, pointing out that last year’s total prize fund was 16 million naira, while this year’s surpassed 20 million. “Last year, in primary school, we had a total of 4.3 million naira. This year, we called the primary school to encourage them, with 6.4 million naira. In the secondary school category last year, the total prize was 6.3 million. This year, it went up to 9.2 million naira.”

He closed with a reflection on the deeper significance of the game. “Chess is not just about kings and queens, tactics and techniques. It is about life. About decisions. About the courage to plan. The patience to wait. The humility to learn. And the grace to begin again after a loss. Let us continue to teach our children how to think. Because when we raise thinkers, we raise leaders. God bless Nigeria. And God bless our champions.”

The 2025 championship reinforced corporate commitment to education, inclusivity and national development. Through continued partnerships and strategic investments, MTN Nigeria and Ecobank are helping young Nigerians unlock their potential, one move at a time.