UNILAG wins 2025 Ecobank Chess competition
The University of Lagos, over the weekend, won the 2025 Ecobank National Schools Team Chess Championships, which were held in Lagos.
The championships were organised for primary and secondary school students, as well as tertiary institutions across the country. In the primary school category, Jareb Private School, Ogun State, Chess in Slums Africa, and Baptist Group of Schools, Lagos State, emerged winners, just as Platform Schools, Lagos State, Dayspring College, Ibadan, Oyo State, and Shima Academy, Lagos State, won in the secondary schools.
The University of Lagos won with 18 MP3 in the tertiary institution’s category, and went home with N1 million, while Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, finished second with 15 MP3 and grabbed the N500,000 prize money, just as Obafemi Awolowo University was third with 14 MP3 to take the N325,000 prize money.
The best performers on each board across all three categories also won individual awards. In total, 90 medals, nine championship trophies, and thousands of certificates were awarded to the participants.
Speaking at the occasion, Olawole Olusanya, Executive Director of Ecobank, said apart from the individual awards, the true reward was in the growth and confidence the children took back from the championships.
“I started playing chess in 1973,” Olusanya said. “Chess is an education tool, and it is a nation’s game. One of the rules says ‘Think before you touch. In other words, the game of chess requires attention, which is key in the education of children.”
On his part, Kola Adeleke, Ecobank’s Executive Director of Commercial/Consumer Banking, described chess as a “problem-solving skill,” adding that students who participated in the championships gained a lot.
Prince Adeyinka Adewole, Vice President of the Nigeria Chess Federation, said that this year’s championship was part of an effort to expand Nigeria’s global footprint in chess.
“We successfully assigned FIDE identification numbers to over 1,600 students, an initiative fully managed by the Nigeria Chess Federation as a member of FIDE,” he said.
He added: “Among the many touching moments of this championship was the participation of Chess in Slums Africa across all three categories and finishing strong, proving again that talent can thrive anywhere when given a chance.
“We also celebrate Bethesda School for the Blind, who did not only participate in the Secondary Category but also won games — and our hearts. Let’s not forget the Air Force Secondary Schools and others who represented Nigeria’s unity in diversity.
“We were also graced by the unwavering presence of Mr. Tunde Onakoya, who not only attended on Day 1 but stayed throughout the tournament, mentoring, supporting, and inspiring students every single day. His presence reminds us all of the power of consistency, visibility, and love for the game.”
A total of 990 primary school children from 198 schools, 680 students from 136 secondary schools, and 160 students from 32 higher institutions took part in this year’s championships. In total, 1,830 students from 366 Schools participated against 1210 students from 242 schools in 2024.
The sum of N20 million was shared with the winners this year as against N16 million last year.
