By Onyeanya Ebere
Nigerian chess champion and founder of Chess in Slums Africa, Tunde Onakoya, has clarified that his recent visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was not politically motivated but rooted in his mission to empower youth and promote education through chess.
The visit, which stirred mixed reactions online, came shortly after Onakoya was honoured by the City of New York for breaking the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon.
Addressing the backlash in a strongly worded statement posted on his X (formerly Twitter), handle on Wednesday, Onakoya stated that meeting the nation’s President should not be construed as a political endorsement.
“To be honoured and received by the President and the highest office in my own country for this reason is not a crime,” he wrote. “It is not even a national honour, by the way.”
Onakoya emphasized that while he welcomes all forms of feedback, praise, criticism, or otherwise, his commitment remains to the children he serves, not political causes.
“I have no interest in partisan politics because of the sensitivity of the work that I do,” he said. “If that ever changes, I would resign as CEO of Chess in Slums Africa.”
Responding to comparisons with figures who received awards from controversial governments, Onakoya called such analogies “laughable,” pointing out that he had declined many awards in the past.
He also challenged the narrative that Chess in Slums Africa only thrives due to bad governance, saying the organization uses chess as a tool to foster cognitive development, formal education, and vocational training for children excluded from the traditional education system.
“This is not charity or an ‘NGO’. The real impact is in building critical thinking skills and putting these children through education not just telling their stories for pity.”
Onakoya revealed that the initiative has never received international grants in its seven years of operation and largely depends on partnerships and community support, including collaboration with the Lagos State Government to rehabilitate street children in areas like Jakande and Isale Eko.
“One of the children we supported recently graduated from furniture school and is building a life again,” he noted.
Addressing public reactions, Onakoya urged Nigerians not to confuse online perception with his true character, asserting that his decade-long track record of service should earn him the benefit of the doubt.
“A visit is not an endorsement. I’ll visit many more people. And I will continue to sell my chess boards.”
“In a decade or two, the Chess/STEM Institute will stand; a place where thousands of children will dream again and be educated in a way that makes them valuable to the world.”
Onakoya concluded with a call for collective responsibility: “We may disagree on politics, but actual lives are at stake. We all have a role to play in whatever capacity to stop this hemorrhage. And yes, we will partner with the government to institutionalize this impact. It’s your tax, anyway.”
