Africa’s largest school chess tournament, ChessMasters, is set to debut in Lagos on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Eko Hotels & Suites, bringing together more than 500 primary school pupils from over 100 schools.
With over ₦5 million in prize money, the tournament is open to children aged 6 to 11 across Lagos.
The initiative is spearheaded by Mrs. Caline Chagoury Moudaber, Director of Eko Hotels Limited, and Mrs. Damilola Okonkwo, founder of KEY academy, both of whom have witnessed firsthand how chess has enhanced their children’s cognitive abilities and confidence.
With strategic technical support from Chess in Slums Africa (CISA), a leading chess development nonprofit founded by Guinness World Record holder Tunde Onakoya, known for its work with underserved children, ChessMasters promises to offer an expertly structured tournament and player development programme. CISA’s involvement ensures that the event will be a benchmark in terms of fair play and talent growth across the continent.
Organisers described ChessMasters as more than a competition, saying that it is a launch pad for a continent-wide movement using chess to promote education, empowerment, and leadership among Africa’s next generation.
Chagoury Moudaber remarked, “ChessMasters represents everything we stand for at Eko Hotels Limited – a commitment to programming that will inspire local creatives, empower local communities, and nurture future leaders. Our commitment to Lagos is not only to provide an inspiring place for visitors to stay and for events to take place, but to create platforms that unlock potential and drive positive change across the city and beyond.”
Also, the founder of KEY Academy, Damilola Okonkwo, said, “At KEY academy, we believe learning should go beyond memorisation and test scores but also cultivate 21st century skills including critical thinking, problem solving and resilience. ChessMasters is an extension of that philosophy – a platform where young minds can develop 21st century skills that will serve them in every aspect of life. By integrating chess into education, we are not just teaching a game; we are shaping a generation of problem solvers and future leaders for Africa.”
As part of the event’s broader impact, ChessMasters is also garnering support from blue-chip brands and industry innovators, underscoring its credibility and wide-reaching influence.
KEY academy, widely recognised for pioneering project-based learning in Nigeria, is also scaling its educational philosophy through a national digital teacher training platform, policy advocacy, publishing and content development. The ChessMasters initiative represents a new chapter in this mission, aiming to inspire and equip a new generation of thinkers and leaders across the continent.
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