- Tunde Onakoya, a renowned Nigerian chess player and founder of Chess in Slums Africa, presented his Guinness World Record certificate for the longest chess marathon to President Bola Tinubu.
- President Tinubu praised Onakoya for his work with underserved children and promotion of education through chess in a post on his official X account.
Renowned Nigerian chess champion and social impact advocate Tunde Onakoya paid a courtesy visit to President Bola Tinubu on Monday night, where he presented his Guinness World Record certificate for completing the longest chess marathon in history.
The meeting was made public through a post on President Tinubu’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle, where the president praised Onakoya’s commitment to empowering underserved communities through chess.
“I received Tunde Onakoya, founder of Chess in Slums Africa, at my residence today where he also presented his World Record for the longest Chess Marathon,“ the post read.
Tinubu highlighted Onakoya’s inspiring rise from humble beginnings in Lagos to becoming a symbol of hope for Nigerian youth, describing his journey as a powerful story of resilience and purpose.
“Tunde’s journey, from the streets of Lagos to uplifting underserved children and breaking world records, reflects the resilience and brilliance of Nigeria’s youth,“ Tinubu wrote.
“Through chess, he opens minds and transforms lives in communities that are too often overlooked.”
In a show of support, the president expressed a keen interest in expanding the reach of Chess in Slums Africa across the country. He also extended an invitation to Onakoya for further discussions in Abuja on how the government can assist his cause.
“Tunde Onakoya’s vision aligns with our administration’s: no child left behind, no talent wasted. Nigeria is proud of him, and we will walk with him,” the president added.
Tunde Onakoya made global headlines in April after he and American chess player Shawn Martinez set a new Guinness World Record by playing chess continuously for 64 hours in New York City. The duo surpassed Onakoya’s earlier record of 60 hours, which had briefly been broken by a Norwegian pair earlier in 2024.
Onakoya continues to use his platform to promote education, creativity, and inclusion through chess, making him a beacon of hope for children in marginalized communities across Africa.
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