Lagos, Nigeria — FirstBank, West Africa’s premier financial institution and leading financial inclusion provider, has announced its strategic sponsorship of ChessMasters 2026,
Africa’s largest school chess tournament is set to hold on May 2 at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos.
The sponsorship was unveiled at an official press conference on March 16, 2026, at Eko Hotels, where organisers, Eko Hotels and Suites and KEY Academy detailed plans for the tournament’s second edition.
ChessMasters targets primary school pupils aged 6 to 11, using chess to build critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership skills among Nigeria’s next generation.
This year’s competition will host 150 schools across Lagos, with more than 700 students expected to compete for a total prize pool of N10 million.
The event is open to public and private schools and aims to scale participation nationwide in future editions.
Olayinka Ijabiyi, Acting Group Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications at FirstBank, said the sponsorship advances the bank’s First@Sports initiative, which promotes talent development and social impact through sports.
“Our sponsorship of ChessMasters 2026 reflects our commitment to building talents and communities, driving inclusion, and deepening engagement.
“We recognise the potential of chess to help school-age children challenge themselves, think critically, and compete at the highest level.
“We see this tournament as a launchpad for a pan-African movement leveraging chess as a tool for education, empowerment, and leadership development,” he stated.
Ijabiyi noted FirstBank’s long history of legacy sports sponsorship, 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.
Caline Chagoury Moudabar, Director and Co-Founder of ChessMasters, alongside partner Damilola Okonkwo of KEY Academy, welcomed FirstBank’s support.
“This collaboration will boost chess development in Nigeria and promote critical thinking among young minds.
“With support from partners like FirstBank, we are opening the doors of participation to more children and more schools in this year’s edition,” Moudabar posited.
Prince Adeyinka Adewole, Vice President of the Nigeria Chess Federation, commended the initiative’s impact on youth development.
“Chess connects people, ideas, and opportunities. It teaches children to be analytical, patient, and to manage their time and resources effectively.
“Chess also improves concentration and has been particularly beneficial for children with autism,” Prince Adewole stated.
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