Tunde Onakoya: Turning Chess into a Platform for Opportunity
Written by Admin • 2026-10-16 01:18:00
Nigerian chess advocate Tunde Onakoya is using chess as a starting point for broader educational opportunities, including STEM skills, scholarships and mentorship.
Tunde Onakoya: Turning Chess into a Platform for Opportunity
Exploring the transformative power of chess through education and mentorship in Nigeria
Transforming Lives Through Chess
Chess is a game of limited pieces and seemingly endless possibilities. Every move requires players to consider consequences, adapt to changing circumstances and recognise opportunities that may not be obvious at first. Nigerian chess advocate Tunde Onakoya has taken those lessons beyond competition. Through Chess in Slums Africa, founded in 2018, he uses chess to engage children in underserved communities and introduce them to broader opportunities for learning and personal development.
The organisation’s work has grown to include STEM education, digital skills, scholarships and mentorship. Its approach raises an important question: what can happen when a sport becomes the first step in a longer educational journey? Onakoya’s vision is clear; chess serves as a starting point for youth empowerment, fostering a love for learning alongside strategic thinking.
A chessboard can open the door, but continued learning helps make the next move possible.— Editorial Perspective
Chess as a Gateway to Education
Chess in Slums Africa connects sport with education and personal development. Its programmes demonstrate how a familiar game can create opportunities for engagement, followed by more structured support through digital skills, scholarships and mentorship. The organisation has expanded its offerings beyond chess, incorporating robotics, AI, and vocational training, thus positioning itself as a leader in integrating sports with educational advancement.
In October 2026, the organisation announced that ten students in the second cohort of its Chess Dream Project had won ₦1 million each. This significant achievement highlights the transformative impact of Onakoya's initiatives, providing financial support for further education and encouraging a commitment to lifelong learning among participants.
Facts & Insights
- Tunde Onakoya founded Chess in Slums Africa in 2018.
- The organisation uses chess as part of a wider programme that includes STEM education, robotics, digital literacy and socio-emotional development.
- Its educational support includes scholarships, vocational training and mentorship, linking initial engagement with longer-term learning opportunities.
Every Move Can Open a New Path
Chess cannot remove every barrier a child faces, but it can create a place to learn, practise patience and discover new possibilities. By connecting the game with education and mentorship, Tunde Onakoya and Chess in Slums Africa show how a personal passion can become a platform for broader opportunity. Their journey reflects a commitment to leadership that creates possibilities for others, fostering a generation ready to take on the challenges of tomorrow.
2018
Chess in Slums Africa founded
64 hrs
Chess marathon announced by the organisation in April 2025
10
Students: award recipients announced in October 2026
₦1 M
each award amount reported for those ten students
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Daga AP - Goodle images, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=147634590