By ISAAC DANIEL
World Chess Champion Tunde Onakoya has urged Nigerian youths to pursue their dreams and succeed using their talents, regardless of their background, social status, or origin.
The global chess master, who recently broke the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon after playing for 64 hours, made this call in Lagos during the launch of his illustrated biography titled “Tunde Onakoya: The Chess Champion”. The biography was authored by award-winning writer Lola Shoneyin and published by Ouida Books, Lagos.
Addressing the youth at the event, Onakoya encouraged them never to give up on their aspirations. He emphasized the importance of hard work, determination, positive mindset, a love for learning, and service to the community.
“I was born and raised in the slums of Lagos, specifically the Ikorodu area, under very humble circumstances. I faced numerous challenges—poverty, hawking, lack of school fees, menial jobs. But I discovered that there was a great gap in knowledge and opportunities in my community. That inspired me to learn chess and use it as a tool to empower others. This act of service paved the way to the life of triumph I live today,” said Onakoya, founder of Chess in Slums Africa.
Although he described his journey as terrifying, Onakoya said he was inspired by the sacrifices his parents made with their meager resources.
“My mother, in particular, made incredible sacrifices, doing several menial jobs to ensure I had a proper education. Her selfless efforts became the foundation of my success. In fact, it was her unwavering support that led me to abandon my own life ambitions at age 23 to focus on helping hopeless children in the slums,” he explained.
Onakoya urged parents and elders to make sacrifices for the upliftment of their children and others in the community. He also encouraged young people to cultivate a reading culture, saying that reading was his first positive exposure beyond the slums, which expanded his imagination and influenced his success.
In his remarks, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by Mrs. OreOluwa Finnih, Special Adviser to the Governor on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), praised Onakoya’s resilience and the sacrifices made by his parents.
“Governor Sanwo-Olu, who is himself an avid chess player, recognizes the strength and character demonstrated in this remarkable story. Tunde Onakoya: The Chess Champion is a powerful and inspiring book that reflects the indomitable spirit of Tunde. It is a story that should be shared widely to inspire the youth to rise above their circumstances,” said Finnih.
She described the biography as a valuable resource for motivating young people and recommended it to all children and teenagers.
Lola Shoneyin, the author of the biography, said the book was written to positively influence the youth by providing real-life role models.
“From my experience teaching and reading to children, I’ve seen how much book characters influence them. That’s why I believe real-life stories like Tunde Onakoya’s—of a boy born in the slums who rose to global fame through learning, curiosity, and resilience—can help shape future leaders,” said Shoneyin, who is also the Director of Ouida Books.
Babatunde Onakoya, a Nigerian chess champion from Lagos, has received multiple international accolades and awards. In 2021, he founded Chess in Slums Africa to transform the lives of children in underprivileged areas such as Ikorodu, Ketu, Makoko, and under-bridge communities in Oshodi through chess education.
He now travels around the world, teaching chess to children in the United States, Europe, and other parts of the globe, spreading his message of hope, learning, and transformation.
