Chess Champion Tunde Onakoya addresses backlash over Presidential visit
By Kunle Sanni
Chess icon and social entrepreneur Tunde Onakoya — founder of Chess in Slums Africa — has issued a detailed response following criticism over his recent meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Lagos.
Onakoya, who recently broke the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon in New York, defended the visit as “not political” and insisted it does not signal support for any administration.
He emphasized that receiving recognition from Nigeria’s highest office for his world record — and for his work empowering slum children through chess — is not a political statement. He clarified that he has declined many awards in the past and rejected comparisons to recipients of controversial international honours, calling such insinuations “laughable.”
In a firm declaration, Onakoya stated that his mission is rooted in education, not politics. “I have no interest in partisan politics… If that ever changes, I would resign my role as CEO of Chess in Slums Africa,” he affirmed. He stressed, “a visit is not an endorsement,” and confirmed he will continue engaging with various figures while remaining focused on his advocacy.
Onakoya challenged criticism that his work exploits narratives of bad governance. He described the organisation as a catalyst for cognitive development: “using chess as a tool to teach cognition and improve academic outcomes,” and to reintegrate children excluded from mainstream education. He reiterated that Chess in Slums Africa is not an NGO or charity, but a learning and empowerment movement.
The organisation has collaborated with Lagos State for over a year, supporting street children from Jakande and Isale Eko. One beneficiary recently completed a course in furniture making and is now making a living. Onakoya said he welcomes government partnerships to scale impact and make the programme more sustainable — “so Tunde stops being the hero of the story. It’s your tax anyway.”
Acknowledging the mixed reactions — ranging from hate to applause — Onakoya said, “All of it is valid and I embrace it.” But he remained undeterred: “I care for none of it,” adding that his decade-long track record deserves the benefit of the doubt.
Onakoya reiterated his long-term plan to establish a global Chess/STEM institute and emphasized that small optics shouldn’t overshadow what he regards as “good news from Nigeria.” He also clarified that his recent trip to New York with five children, and plans to travel to Budapest, aim to spotlight Nigerian children’s potential beyond narratives of poverty.
