Nigerian chess champion and founder of Chess in Slums Africa, Tunde Onakoya, has addressed the backlash following his recent visit to President Bola Tinubu, asserting that his mission remains solely focused on youth empowerment and education, not political endorsement.
Onakoya, who recently earned global recognition by setting a Guinness World Record and receiving an award from the City of New York, took to his official X (formerly Twitter) account to clarify his position.
He emphasized that the visit to Nigeria’s highest office was not a political statement, but rather an acknowledgment of his efforts in transforming the lives of underprivileged children through chess.
“To be honoured and received by the President and the highest office in my own country for this reason is not a crime. It is not even a national honour, by the way,” Onakoya stated.
He dismissed comparisons to individuals who have accepted awards from controversial governments, describing such analogies as “laughable.” He reiterated that Chess in Slums Africa operates independently of partisan politics and focuses on educational and cognitive development for street children.
“I have no interest in partisan politics because of the sensitivity of the work that I do. If that ever changes, then I would resign as CEO of Chess in Slums Africa,” he emphasized.
Onakoya refuted claims that his initiative only exists because of government failures, highlighting that the organization’s primary objective is to equip disadvantaged children with critical thinking skills and access to formal education, not simply to offer charity.
“We’re using chess as a tool to teach cognition and improve academic outcomes. Using it as a social intervention tool is because these children have fallen through the cracks and cannot make it to the classrooms,” he explained.
He further revealed that the initiative has operated without international grants for the past seven years and has partnered with the Lagos State Government to rehabilitate street children in communities like Jakande and Isale Eko.
“One of the kids we helped recently graduated from furniture school and has been reintegrated into society. We will continue to work with the government to scale this impact,” he disclosed.
Onakoya maintained that public criticism, praise, and speculation—though valid—do not sway his convictions. He urged the public not to confuse online perception with real character, stating that his decade-long track record speaks for itself.
“My fight is different. I took a stand ten years ago for the country I want to see. Whatever rooms my vision gives me access to, I will put the dreams and needs of the children first,” he concluded.
