Nigerian chess champion Tunde Onakoya has celebrated a major win in the United States, calling it a historic moment not just for himself, but also for the two young boys he trained — Jamiu and Ayomide, who once lived in the slums of Majidun, Ikorodu in Lagos.
Sharing photos from the tournament, Onakoya wrote:“We made history. It is indeed possible to do great things from a small place 🇳🇬🇺🇳.”
The chess master, widely known for using chess to empower underprivileged children, met Jamiu and Ayomide in 2018, when they were living in very poor conditions.
With guidance and consistent training, the boys have now grown into confident players, representing Nigeria proudly on an international stage.
Just two days ago, Onakoya shared how Jamiu, clinched victory against his Russian opponent to win the Chess tournament at the 2025 United Nations Games.
He stated, “We were celebrating a powerful win at a U.S. tournament.”
Onakoya praised the boys for performing brilliantly and shocked many people at the event with their skills and focus.
“From the slums to the world stage, these boys have shown that talent, when supported, can shine anywhere,” he added.
Onakoya is the founder of the Chess in Slums Africa initiative, which aims to give poor children a chance to learn, dream, and grow through the game of chess.
He has helped many children leave the streets, return to school, or even gain scholarships.
