Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has praised Nigerian chess champion and founder of Chess in Slums, Tunde Onakoya, for setting a new Guinness World Record after playing chess non-stop for 64 hours.
The record-breaking chess marathon took place at Times Square in New York City, from Wednesday, April 17 to Sunday, April 20, 2025. Onakoya teamed up with his American partner, Shawn Martinez, to achieve the feat.
In a message shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, Sanwo-Olu said Onakoya’s success is a proud moment for Lagos and Nigeria.
“This is not just a personal achievement, but a proud moment for all of us,” the governor wrote.
“Tunde’s perseverance and commitment to the game truly inspire everyone around him, and this accomplishment highlights his incredible talent.”
Sanwo-Olu also mentioned a young boy named Ferdinand, a chess enthusiast he recently met. He said the boy’s passion and smart thinking left a strong impression on him.
He added, “It’s inspiring to see children like him push boundaries and showcase their skills on a grand stage.”
The governor went on to celebrate other young talents from the *Chess in Slums* project, including Jamiu Boluwatife, who won the ICN Chess Championship, and those who played in the Chess Tournament during the 2025 United Nations Games in New York.
“Once again, congratulations Tunde and all our champions. Your achievements are a source of pride for Lagos and a reminder that with determination and talent, we can reach all corners of the world,” he said.
During the record attempt, there was also a special moment when Martinez’s wife brought their newborn twins to cheer him on.
Onakoya and Martinez have now been officially recognised by the Guinness World Records for the longest chess marathon in history.
