Tunde Onakoya is a Nigerian chess player and social activist whose influence extends far beyond the 64 squares of the chessboard. As the founder of the Chess in Slums initiative, he uses chess as a powerful tool to educate, motivate, and transform the lives of young people in Nigeria’s underprivileged areas. His work, which began in the slums of Lagos, has garnered international admiration, becoming a symbol of social innovation driven by determined passion. 

Onakoya was born and raised in Ikorodu, a locality in Lagos State, Nigeria. Coming from an underprivileged background in a slum, he discovered chess during his primary school years while observing a game in a local barber’s shop. In an environment where opportunities for youth from poor backgrounds were scarce, chess became not only an intellectual refuge but also a tool that allowed him to develop strategic thinking and envision a promising future. 

From pawns to kings 

Despite a childhood marked by precarious conditions, Onakoya’s love for chess profoundly influenced his educational and professional journey. Unable to afford secondary school fees, his mother offered to work as a cleaner at a school in exchange for her son’s enrolment. Thanks to this family support, Onakoya was able to continue his studies and hone his chess skills. This perseverance led him to achieve the impressive rank of 13th among chess players in Nigeria. 

Onakoya earned a degree in computer science from the Yaba College of Technology. During his studies, he brilliantly represented his institution, winning a gold medal at the Nigeria Polytechnic Games and the RCCG Chess Championship. He also triumphed at the National Friends of Chess and the Chevron Chess Open. Inspired by the positive impact chess had on his life, Onakoya began to see the game not only as a passion but also as a means of social transformation for children facing challenges similar to those he had encountered. 

“I quit playing chess professionally because I had found a deeper calling to use my love and knowledge of chess as a tool to empower children in poverty,” he shared. 

This choice, though risky, was the catalyst for a major change in his life, leading him to establish an initiative that would change the lives of many young Nigerians. 

Checkmate to poverty 

In 2018, Onakoya launched the Chess in Slums project, driven by the belief that chess could transform education and herald beneficial social change for children in underprivileged neighbourhoods. This project began in Makoko, a poor area of Lagos nicknamed “the Venice of Africa,” known for its harsh living conditions. There, thousands of children, often deprived of access to education, found in chess an opportunity for development and learning. “I took the road less travelled and it has indeed made all the difference. This led to the launch of the Chess in Slums project that has given thousands of children a fighting chance the society is often unable to provide,” explained Onakoya. 

The concept of Chess in Slums is both simple and profoundly transformative: it involves introducing slum children to chess while providing them with enriching educational opportunities. This programme goes beyond teaching the game; it aims to boost the children’s self-confidence, sharpen their problem-solving skills, and broaden their vision of life. Through playing chess, these young people acquire valuable tools to face daily challenges and envision a better future, developing intellectual qualities such as focus, memory, analysis and creativity. 

The impact of this project is remarkable. Since its implementation, more than 1,000 children have been introduced to chess, and several of them have won national and regional tournaments. These victories have not only boosted their confidence but also generated funds for scholarships. Thanks to these opportunities, some young people have been able to leave the slums to study in much better conditions. 

Onakoya’s work has not gone unnoticed. It has been widely recognised and celebrated for its significant impact on society. In 2021, he was honoured by the Future Awards Africa in the education category. Moreover, his project has been featured in numerous prestigious international media such as CNN, BBC and Al Jazeera. This global recognition has not only highlighted his exceptional work but also brought attention to the living conditions of children in Nigeria’s underprivileged areas. 

His most notable feats include a 60-hour chess marathon in New York City and simultaneous games against 10 players in Germany. But despite the physical and mental prowess required to achieve such feats, Onakoya remains humble and focuses on the impact of his actions: “I don’t ever want to be remembered as the man who could beat 10 people in chess, but rather as the man who helped children to believe they could do great things from small places.”

Social innovation 

Buoyed by these successes, Onakoya intends to expand his initiative to other cities in Nigeria and across Africa. His ambition is to transform chess into a global educational tool, capable of breaking the cycles of poverty and opening new prospects for disadvantaged youth. 

He is currently working to forge partnerships with international organisations and to raise the necessary funds to expand Chess in Slums. For him, this project represents much more than just an initiative to help children; it is also a model of social innovation, adaptable to various contexts around the world. 

He sends a powerful message to all those with talents or skills: “When you use that talent solely for your personal ambitions, it brings you success. However, when you choose to share that gift with others, especially those who may never have the same opportunities, it transforms into something far more powerful: it becomes a mission.” It is this mission that guides his steps, as he continues to inspire and educate through chess. 

Onakoya embodies how passion and determination can reshape the world, even in the most disadvantaged contexts. His initiative powerfully illustrates how a simple game of chess can transform into a powerful educational tool and a vector for social change. Onakoya’s story is a source of inspiration, reminding us all of the tremendous transformative potential inherent in every child, regardless of their background. 

“Keep going, dreamer, I hope you never stop giving the world something new to believe in,” Onakoya wrote on his Instagram account, emphasising that the true essence of our talents is realised when we put them at the service of others.

African Times published this article in partnership with ChinAfrica Magazine