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| Tunde Onakoya and Bola Tinubu |
President Bola Tinubu has promised federal government support for chess prodigy and Guinness World Record holder Tunde Onakoya following a special meeting at his Lagos residence on Monday.
The President, in an X (formerly Twitter) post, celebrated Onakoya founder of Chess in Slums Africa for his extraordinary impact on underprivileged children and for putting Nigeria on the global map.
“Tunde’s journey from the slums of Lagos to empowering children and shattering world records showcases the brilliance of Nigeria’s youth,” Tinubu stated. He praised Onakoya’s initiative, which uses chess to unlock the potential of marginalized kids, saying, “Through chess, he opens minds and transforms overlooked communities.”
The President expressed interest in replicating Onakoya’s model nationwide, inviting him to Abuja to discuss federal collaboration. “We align with his vision: no child left behind, no talent wasted. Nigeria is proud, and we will support him,” Tinubu affirmed.
In response, Onakoya shared photos of the meeting, thanking the President for the warm reception. “Honoured by His Excellency’s kindness and eager to discuss our dream building the world’s largest Chess/STEM institute where every child can thrive,” he posted on X.
During the visit, Onakoya presented Tinubu with a gold-plated Adire chessboard and his Guinness World Record certificate for the longest chess marathon (60+ hours).