Tunde Onakoya Plans Lagos International Chess Festival After Hermès Paris Fashion Week Visit

Nigerian chess master Tunde Onakoya has announced plans for the Lagos International Chess Festival, scheduled for October 2027. The proposed annual event will combine chess tournaments with art, fashion and cultural experiences. Onakoya, who grew up in Ikorodu, Lagos, first discovered chess at a neighbourhood barbershop while he was out of school because his family could not afford fees. He later became a National Master and founded Chess in Slums Africa in 2018 to support children in underserved communities through chess, education and mentorship. He gained international attention in April 2024 after completing a 60-hour chess marathon in New York’s Times Square to raise support for children’s education. He has since expanded chess activities in Lagos through Good Move, a weekly social chess club at PANU Lagos. His recent appearance at Paris Fashion Week reflects how chess, Nigerian style and community work have become central to his public journey. The planned festival aims to bring players and visitors from around the world to Lagos.

Use The App To Win ₦1m

Stories are shared by community members. This article does not represent the official view of NaijaWorld — the author is solely responsible for its content.