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FirstBank Backs Africa’s Largest School Chess Tournament
FirstBank has announced its strategic sponsorship of the second edition of ChessMasters, Africa’s largest school chess tournament, reinforcing its long-standing commitment to youth development and financial inclusion. The announcement was made during the tournament’s official press conference held at Eko Hotels and Suites.
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ChessMasters is an annual initiative designed to nurture critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership skills among children aged 6 to 11 years. Organised by Eko Hotels and Suites in partnership with KEY Academy, the tournament brings together primary schools from across Nigeria, using chess as a tool to strengthen modern learning outcomes and national educational collaboration.
Driving Inclusion Through Education and Sports
Speaking at the press conference, Olayinka Ijabiyi, Acting Group Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications at FirstBank, said the sponsorship aligns with the bank’s mission to build talents, strengthen communities, and drive inclusion.
“Our sponsorship of ChessMasters 2026 reflects our commitment to nurturing young minds and creating opportunities for growth through our First@Sports initiative. For over a century, FirstBank has supported legacy sports in Nigeria, including 105 years with the Georgian Cup, 65 years with the Lagos Amateur Golf Championship, and 35 years with the Dala Hard Court Tennis Championship,” Ijabiyi stated.
He added that the partnership supports FirstBank’s sustainability pillars of Education, Health, and Welfare, noting that chess plays a vital role in helping children develop analytical skills, focus, and confidence from an early age.
Chess as a Platform for Empowerment and Leadership
According to Ijabiyi, ChessMasters has the potential to evolve into a pan-African movement that leverages chess for education, empowerment, and leadership development.
“We recognise chess as a powerful platform for inspiring young learners to challenge themselves and compete at the highest levels. Through this sponsorship, we aim to deepen social impact and drive positive change within communities,” he said.
Organisers and Chess Community Welcome the Partnership
Caline Chagoury Moudabar, Director and Co-Founder of ChessMasters, alongside her partner Damilola Okonkwo of Key Academy, welcomed FirstBank’s support, noting that the partnership would significantly expand the tournament’s reach.
“This collaboration will help us scale ChessMasters, inspire more schools to participate, and further promote critical thinking among young minds. With partners like FirstBank, we are opening doors for more children and schools to take part in this year’s edition,” they said.
Prince Adeyinka Adewole, Vice President of the Nigeria Chess Federation, also commended the initiative, highlighting chess’s broader developmental benefits.
“Chess teaches children analytical thinking, patience, time management, and resource planning. It also improves concentration and has shown positive impact for children with autism,” Adewole noted.
ChessMasters 2026 Set for Lagos
The second edition of ChessMasters will take place on Saturday, 2 May 2026, at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos. The competition is open to 150 schools across Lagos State, with over 700 students expected to compete for a total prize pool of ₦10 million.
Through its sponsorship of ChessMasters 2026, FirstBank continues to position chess as a catalyst for education, empowerment, and leadership development, reinforcing the tournament’s growing role as a launchpad for the next generation of African leaders.
