Bayelsa to Introduce Scrabble in Secondary Schools, Says Gov. Diri

Posted : 03 August 2026

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has announced plans to introduce Scrabble competitions into secondary schools across the state as part of efforts to promote intellectual development and discover future champions.

Diri made the announcement at the closing ceremony of the 6th Governor Douye Diri National Scrabble Classic, held on Sunday at the DSP Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall in Yenagoa.

The governor said he had directed the Commissioner for Sports Development and the Commissioner for Education to work out modalities for organising a statewide Scrabble tournament among secondary schools.

According to him, the initiative is designed to expose students to the educational and cognitive benefits of the game while creating a sustainable pathway for identifying and nurturing young talents.

Diri described Scrabble as one of the most educational sports, noting that it promotes strategic thinking, creativity, vocabulary development, and analytical skills among young people.

The governor, who also featured in an exhibition game against the President of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation, Engineer Bright Idahosa, recalled how playing Scrabble during his younger days helped improve his vocabulary and sharpen his reasoning ability.

He commended the Nigeria Scrabble Federation and the Bayelsa State Scrabble Association for consistently organising the annual championship, describing it as Nigeria's premier Scrabble tournament.

Diri also applauded players, officials, and visitors from across the country and beyond for participating in the competition, expressing appreciation for their continued support of the event.

Reaffirming his administration's commitment to the growth of the mind sport, the governor said Bayelsa would continue to invest in Scrabble as an effective platform for youth empowerment and human capital development.

He congratulated winners in the various categories and assured the Nigeria Scrabble Federation that Bayelsa was ready to host an even bigger and better seventh edition of the Governor Douye Diri National Scrabble Classic in 2027.

The annual championship has grown into one of Nigeria's most prestigious Scrabble competitions, attracting leading players from across the country and strengthening Bayelsa's position as a major hub for mind sports.

The planned introduction of Scrabble into secondary schools reflects Bayelsa's commitment to developing young minds through competitive intellectual sports. The initiative is expected to strengthen grassroots participation while helping to identify and nurture the next generation of Scrabble champions in the state.

Bayelsa to Introduce Scrabble in Secondary Schools, Says Gov. Diri

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