Ecobank Chess Championship Aims for Nigeria's First Grandmaster

The Ecobank National Schools Chess Championship, held on May 8, 2026, is a significant initiative aimed at producing Nigeria's first Grandmaster in chess. Despite Nigeria's participation in global chess competitions for five decades, no Grandmaster has emerged.

The championship featured 106 schools competing in primary and secondary categories, with thousands of students, coaches, parents, and officials in attendance. The secondary school title was retained by Ipaja Lagos, which claimed a trophy and a cash prize of 2.5 million naira.

Vice President of the Nigeria Chess Federation, Adeyinka Adewol, emphasized the importance of the championship as a foundation for developing future Grandmasters. He noted that the tournament reflects a deeper cultural development in chess and highlighted standout players, including a junior secondary student with a chess rating close to 1900.

The event received support from various partners, including Schoolmat and Frutta Juice Services Nigeria Ltd, and aims to expand its reach in future editions.