Tunde Onakoya, a Nigerian, set world record for the longest chess marathon.
He began the contest at 10 am on Wednesday, April 17, and ended at about 2:30 am on April 20.
Who is Tunde Onakoya?
Tunde is a Nigerian chess master and founder of Chess in Slums Africa.
He has organised several interventions for children across slums in Lagos state including Majidun (Ikorodu), Makoko, and recently, Oshodi.
The children are engaged in a two-week session that seeks to unlock their potential through the game of chess while learning to read, write, and acquire basic literacy skills.
Age
Born 6 October 1994 (age 29)
Education
Onakoya got a diploma in computer science at Yaba College of Technology where he was a gold medalist representing the school in Nigeria Polytechnic Games and also at the RCCG Chess Championship.
Notable feats
The Future Awards Africa Prize for Community Action in 202.
The Business Insider Award for Social Entrepreneur of the Year in 2022.
The JCI Ten Outstanding Young Persons of Nigeria Award for Contribution to Children, World Peace, and/or Human Rights in 2022.
The Trendupp Award for Force of Social Good in 2022.
The Leadership newspaper Humanitarian of the Year and the Royal African Award in 2022.
He has also won the National Friends of Chess and the Chevron Chess Open.
Onakoya was featured in CNN African Voices.
He is also a board member of the New York City-based non-profit The Gift of Chess.
Chess in Slums Africa
His non-profit organisation, Chess in Slums Africa, leverages the game of chess as a means of social intervention, bridging the gap between disadvantaged children and their aspirations. By providing tuition-free education, learning resources, and mentorship opportunities, Chess in Slums Africa is creating an inclusive future for every African child.
The initiative has garnered international attention, with success stories of children from slums in Ikorodu, Makoko, and Oshodi Under Bridge in Lagos published by prominent media outlets such as BBC, Al-Jazeera, Deutsche Welle, AFP, and MSN. To date, Chess in Slums Africa has impacted over 10,000 children’s lives and secured fully-funded educational scholarships for over 500 children to local and international institutions.
