Gladness Gideon
Nigerian chess champion and social impact advocate, Tunde Onakoya, has addressed public criticism surrounding his recent visit to President Bola Tinubu, insisting that his mission remains firmly rooted in youth empowerment and education, not political affiliation.
Onakoya, who recently received honours from the City of New York after setting a new Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon, clarified his stance in a strongly worded statement shared on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Wednesday.
Responding to mixed reactions online, Onakoya described the recognition from Nigeria’s highest office as neither a political endorsement nor a crime.
“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,” he stated.
He further rejected comparisons between his visit and the acceptance of awards from countries implicated in war crimes, calling such analogies “laughable.”
Emphasising his nonpartisan stance, Onakoya said, “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 my role as CEO of Chess in Slums Africa.”
Onakoya founded Chess in Slums Africa, an initiative dedicated to transforming the lives of underprivileged children through chess, education, and cognitive development. Contrary to criticism that his work thrives on systemic failures, he maintained that the organisation’s mission is a proactive intervention to bridge educational gaps for children who have been excluded from formal systems.
“The rhetoric that Chess in Slums only exists or is relevant because of bad governance is not accurate,” he said.
“We’re using chess as a tool to teach cognition and improve academic outcomes… This is not charity or ‘NGO’. It is transformation.”
He added that while public reaction—positive or negative—is valid, it does not sway his convictions or long-term goals.
“A visit is not an endorsement. I will visit many more people and will continue to sell my chess boards,” he noted.
READ ALSO: Tunde Onakoya Meets Tinubu, Presents Guinness Record Chess Certificate
Highlighting the initiative’s independence, Onakoya revealed that Chess in Slums Africa has operated for seven years without international grants. Its progress, he said, has been driven by community support and strategic partnerships, including an ongoing collaboration with the Lagos State Government aimed at rehabilitating street children in areas like Jakande and Isale Eko.
“One of them recently graduated from furniture school and is living again,” he shared, illustrating the tangible impact of the programme.
“Yes, we will partner with the government to scale this impact and institutionalise it so Tunde stops being the hero of the story. It’s your tax, anyway.”
He urged the public not to confuse social media personas with true character.
“You may not understand my intentions or character because the only thing you know about me is what I let on social media. But reputation is not character,” he wrote.
Onakoya concluded his statement with a reflection on the decade-long journey behind his work, pledging to remain focused on giving disenfranchised children opportunities for a better future.
“My fight is different. I’m not on the fence. I took a stand ten years ago for the country I want to see… I live for the audience of one, and that is enough,” he said.
Chess in Slums Africa continues to gain global recognition for its innovative use of chess as a developmental and educational tool, and Onakoya’s leadership remains a defining force in shaping its path.