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Africa’s largest school chess tournament, ChessMasters, is set to debut in Lagos on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Eko Hotel & Suites, bringing together more than 500 primary school pupils from over 100 schools.
With over ₦5 million in prize money, the tournament is open to children aged 6 to 11 across Lagos.
The event is the result of a collaboration between Lagos-based KEY Academy, Chess in Slums Africa, the nonprofit founded by Guinness World Record holder Tunde Onakoya — and Eko Hotel & Suites.
Organisers described ChessMasters as more than a competition:, saying that it is a launch pad for a continent-wide movement using chess to promote education, empowerment, and leadership among Africa’s next generation.
“At KEY academy, we believe learning should go beyond memorisation and test scores but also cultivate 21st century skills including critical thinking, problem solving and resilience. ChessMasters is an extension of that philosophy – a platform where young minds can develop 21st century skills that will serve them in every aspect of life. By integrating chess into education, we are not just teaching a game; we are shaping a generation of problem solvers and future leaders for Africa,” said founder of KEY Academy, Damilola Okonkwo.
Backing from leading corporate sponsors—including Sterling Bank, 7Up, Mikano, Fidson Healthcare, Paga, and DyeLab—further affirms the initiative’s credibility and ambition.
KEY academy, widely recognised for pioneering project-based learning in Nigeria, is also scaling its educational philosophy through a national digital teacher training platform, policy advocacy, publishing and content development. The ChessMasters initiative represents a new chapter in this mission, aiming to inspire and equip a new generation of thinkers and leaders across the continent.
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