Tunde Onakoya Announces Lagos Chess Festival for 2027

In October 2026, Tunde Onakoya, a Nigerian chess master and Guinness (NGX: GUINNESS) World Record holder, traveled to Paris at the invitation of the luxury brand Hermès. This visit coincided with his birthday month and marked the announcement of the Lagos International Chess Festival, scheduled for October 2027.

The festival aims to be an annual event that integrates chess tournaments with art, fashion, and cultural experiences. Onakoya's journey began in Ikorodu, Lagos, where he learned chess by observing a barber play.

He later became a National Master and founded Chess in Slums Africa in 2018 to provide educational opportunities for children in underserved communities. In April 2024, he set a Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon, playing for 60 hours in New York's Times Square.

Onakoya's public identity is also defined by his signature fila and contemporary tailoring, which reflect his Lagos roots and aspirations to elevate chess in Nigeria.