Remi Ladigbolu/
Nigerian chess master and founder of Chess in Slums Africa, Tunde Onakoya, has marked the anniversary of his Guinness World Records achievement in striking fashion, revealing the remarkable progress of three boys rescued from under the Oshodi bridge in Lagos.
Onakoya made global headlines in 2025 after breaking the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon, achieved in Times Square, New York, alongside American chess master Shawn Martinez.
The feat was widely celebrated as a symbolic fusion of sport, endurance and social impact, with the initiative linked to raising awareness for children in underserved communities.
Reflecting on the anniversary, Onakoya shared updates on three of the boys whose lives were transformed through his Chess in Slums Africa programme, describing their journeys as “a life’s work and promise to every child I meet.”
According to him, Fawaz is now working with a prestigious fashion brand, marking a significant step into the creative and commercial industry. Ayomide is currently completing his degree at Miva Open University, continuing his academic development through higher education. Jamiu, meanwhile, has gone on to win at the United Nations Games in New York and is expected to return this summer for an internship with ICN New York City.
The Chess in Slums Africa initiative, founded by Onakoya, uses chess as a learning tool to engage children in informal settlements, particularly in Lagos, while supporting access to education, mentorship and life skills development.
Over the years, the programme has gained international attention for its blend of education reform advocacy and youth empowerment.
In a related acknowledgement of his global impact, the United States Embassy in Nigeria has previously highlighted Onakoya’s role as a U.S. Government exchange programme alumnus, noting that he is among more than 14,000 Nigerian alumni contributing to cultural, educational and professional exchange between both countries.
The Embassy also referenced his Guinness World Record achievement, describing it as part of a broader story of Nigerians leveraging international platforms to drive social impact and community development.
Onakoya’s latest update has drawn renewed attention to the long-term outcomes of grassroots interventions in education, particularly in urban informal settlements, where access to structured learning opportunities remains limited.
His journey from teaching chess under bridges in Lagos to breaking global records in New York continues to be cited as an example of how sport and education can intersect to reshape life trajectories for vulnerable children.
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