Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has hailed Tunde Onakoya’s decade-long journey of transforming the lives of Nigerian children through chess, following a heartfelt meeting between the two changemakers. Atiku shared that Tunde detailed his mission of using chess as a tool to lift children from the slums, teaching not just the rules of the game but building critical thinking and opening doors to both local and international education.
The Chess in Slums Africa founder, who has impacted countless young lives, also revealed his ambition to build the world’s largest chess institute—a dream that Atiku has now pledged to support. “Talent is universal, but opportunity is not,” Tunde told Atiku, a message the statesman described as especially resonant.
As a token of appreciation, Tunde gifted Atiku a stunning “NeoChess x Tunde Onakoya” custom chessboard adorned with traditional Adire patterns—a blend of Nigerian heritage and innovation. Atiku expressed his commitment to playing a role in Tunde’s vision and lauded the young leader as living proof of the “incredible potential of our youth, especially when given the right support and environment to thrive.”
Tunde also extended an invitation to his upcoming birthday celebration, which he’s turning into a platform to bridge opportunity gaps and empower more young Nigerians.
From the chessboard to the corridors of power, this meeting stands as a rallying cry for investing in Nigeria’s next generation.
