FirstBank Sponsors ChessMasters 2026 for Young Minds

FirstBank has announced its partnership with Eko Hotels and KEY Academy to sponsor the ChessMasters 2026 tournament, which targets children aged 6 to 11 years. The tournament is scheduled for May 2, 2026, at Eko Hotel Suites in Lagos, with participation expected from 150 schools and around 700 students competing for a total prize pool of ₦10 million.

Olayinka Ijabiyi, the Acting Group Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications at FirstBank, emphasized that the sponsorship reflects the bank's commitment to building talent and fostering community engagement through sports. The initiative aims to leverage chess as a tool for education and leadership development, promoting critical thinking among young minds.

Calin Chagouri Moudabar, co-founder of ChessMasters, and Damilola Okonkwo from KEY Academy expressed gratitude for FirstBank's support, noting that it would enhance the impact of the tournament. Princ Adeyinka Adewol, Vice President of the Nigeria Chess Federation, commended the initiative for nurturing future chess talent.