Nigeria reinforces global scrabble dominance with multiple podium finishes in Bangkok

Posted : 02 June 2026

Nigeria further strengthened its reputation as the world's leading scrabble nation after delivering an impressive performance at the prestigious Causeway Scrabble Challenge held in Bangkok, Thailand, from May 29 to June 1, 2026.

Despite facing visa-related setbacks and limited preparation time before the competition, Team Nigeria displayed remarkable resilience to secure multiple podium finishes at one of the most competitive scrabble tournaments in the world.

The tournament attracted more than 440 players from over 30 countries, with Nigeria represented by a delegation of 31 members, including 26 athletes and five officials.

Leading Nigeria's medal charge was Olaribigbe Hakeem, who finished as first runner-up in Division One. Hakeem recorded 24 victories and 12 defeats from 36 games, amassing an impressive cumulative spread of +1355 points to secure a place on the podium among some of the world's finest scrabble players.

In Division Three, Mbonu Olachi produced a commanding display to emerge champion. Olachi won 27 of 36 games and finished with a remarkable spread of +2141 points, underlining Nigeria's depth of talent across all categories.

Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, praised the athletes for their outstanding achievements and determination throughout the tournament.

"This performance once again confirms Nigeria's status as the world's leading scrabble nation. Our players have shown tremendous character, resilience, and excellence in one of the toughest scrabble competitions anywhere in the world. We are proud of their achievements and remain committed to supporting them as they continue to fly the nation's flag high on the international stage," Olopade said.

The Nigerian contingent featured some of the country's most accomplished players, including reigning African champion Temileyin Doko, current national champion Ezinore George, and Nigeria's highest-rated scrabble player, Jimoh Abdulmumuni.

As part of ongoing efforts to develop future stars, Nigeria also fielded junior players through the pilot Scrabble-to-Schools Initiative, providing valuable international exposure for emerging talents.

The team's achievement was particularly noteworthy given the logistical challenges encountered before the tournament. Several players arrived shortly before the start of competition, leaving little time for acclimatization and preparation. Nevertheless, the athletes responded admirably, maintaining Nigeria's tradition of excellence on the global stage.

Nigeria entered the tournament as the reigning World Scrabble Champion nation following its historic success at the World Scrabble Championships in Accra last year. The strong showing in Bangkok further reinforces the country's standing as both Africa's and the world's foremost scrabble powerhouse.

Attention now shifts to the African Scrabble Championships in October and the World Youth Scrabble Championships in Kenya this September, where Team Nigeria will seek to defend its continental and global honours.

The National Sports Commission congratulated the athletes, officials, the Nigeria Scrabble Federation, and all stakeholders whose continued support has helped sustain Nigeria's dominance in the sport. The remarkable outing in Bangkok proves that Nigerian scrabble possesses the psychological fortitude to overcome adverse travel conditions while competing against world-class fields. These podium finishes set a highly positive benchmark for the country's upcoming international campaigns on both youth and senior levels.

Nigeria reinforces global scrabble dominance with multiple podium finishes in Bangkok

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