Tunde Onakoya

On June 11, 2024, I will be playing a three-hour Chess match against Nigeria’s number one chess prodigy-12 year old Women’s candidate master Deborah Quickpen @deborahquickpen .She will be representing Nigeria at the FIDE chess World Cup in Georgia next month.

I have faced many tough opponents but this will undoubtedly be my hardest match yet. I can categorically say that she is the future of chess in Nigeria!

Let’s give her all the support she needs 👏🏾
This epic match is presented by Daniel Ford International and supported by the Nigerian National chess federation

Earlier today at the US consulate...
Lady: are you the founder of Chess in slums Africa?
Me: Yes
Lady: that's a brilliant initiative, well done.
Me: thank you😊
Lady: visa approved.

Chess in slums team members have gotten scholarships to Harvard, University of Georgia etc because of our work. People with “Onakoya” as their surname have been given special preferences/opportunities because people assume they must be related to me.

It is rare that anyone gets witness their legacy surpass their achievements in their lifetime. I’m one of the lucky ones.
Humbled. Grateful

Will forever pay it forward❤️

See you guys in America next week for the chess and community conference.
Athens-Atlanta-New York. It’s my first time in the US, so I look forward to connecting with as many people as possible. Please reach out

I’ve had the privilege of teaching chess to children at the prestigious Martial Chess Club in New York, surrounded by some of the brightest chess and math minds in the world. Recently, I also taught chess to children with no formal education in an IDP camp in Maiduguri, Borno State. And let me tell you, both groups—regardless of background—grasped the intricate fundamentals of chess with equal brilliance. Talent is universal, but opportunity is not.

It breaks my heart that over 20 million children in Nigeria are out of school, deprived of the chance to unlock their potential. These children deserve more than just survival—they deserve the tools to build a future. We cannot stand idly by and let them believe there is no hope.

That’s why I’m incredibly excited to announce our partnership with @nafomchessclubmaiduguri, where we aim to empower 10,000 out-of-school children across IDP camps in Northern Nigeria. Through chess, critical thinking, and basic literacy and numeracy programs, we will open doors for these children to take control of their future.

Though this project officially kicks off next year, we are already laying the groundwork and putting together a comprehensive plan to bring this vision to life. Together, we can create real, lasting change for these children. Let’s be the difference they need.

Please reach out if you’d like to partner/fund this project.
Tunde@chessinslumsafrica