Nigerian chess master and social entrepreneur Tunde Onakoya has made history as the first African to receive the Lideramos Youth Award for Social Impact in Barcelona.
The award, presented in April 2026, recognises Onakoya’s extensive work with Chess in Slums Africa, a non-profit initiative that uses chess to empower underprivileged children in marginalised communities by providing access to education, mentorship, and life-changing opportunities.
During his acceptance speech, Onakoya shared a motivational parable about a little hummingbird fighting a forest fire, symbolising the power of small but meaningful actions in solving large-scale societal problems.
The award highlights the global reach of his movement, which began as a local initiative in Ikorodu, Lagos, and has grown to inspire millions worldwide.
This accolade follows other notable achievements, including his Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon and his recent appointment as a sports and youth empowerment ambassador. Onakoya continues to put Nigerian innovation and social impact on the global stage.
