Youth Talent Takes Centre Stage at 2025 EcoBank National Chess Championship

Posted : 14 June 2025

Organisers of the Nigeria Chess Federation (NCF) have announced that over 2,000 students from 500 schools nationwide will participate in the 2025 EcoBank National School Team Chess Championship, scheduled for June 26–28 at the EcoBank Pan African Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Vice President of the NCF, Adeyinka Adewale, confirmed this during a press conference on Friday in Lagos, highlighting the tournament's role in promoting chess development in Nigeria.

“The EcoBank National School Team Chess Championship will bring together top young players from primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions,” Adewale said.

He noted that the championship serves as a platform to discover hidden talents and give students across the country the opportunity to compete at a national level.

“Many talented children haven’t had the chance to compete before. This tournament will help identify and support them. I expect a very exciting event filled with passionate young players ready to prove their skills.”

Adewale emphasized that chess plays a key role in nurturing critical thinking and problem-solving skills among Nigerian youth and described the event as a thrilling spectacle uniting schools from across the nation.

He also praised the collaboration between the NCF, MTN Communications, and EcoBank, stating that such tournaments indirectly create jobs by encouraging the recruitment of chess instructors in schools.

“If a national policy mandates chess in schools, it would lead to the hiring of many qualified instructors,” he added.

Adebukola Ademuyi, Head of Education Field and Social Services at EcoBank, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to education and youth empowerment:

“As a truly pan-African bank, we are proud to partner with the Chess Federation again for this important championship. It supports our human capital development strategy and corporate social responsibility goals.”

She highlighted the cognitive benefits of chess, saying the game empowers youths and supports community development across Nigeria.

The championship is expected to be a milestone in Nigeria’s sporting and educational calendar, featuring a significant prize pool to motivate participants.

The tournament will include three categories: primary, secondary and tertiary

Each category will be split into three team groups, with the finals taking place on Saturday, June 28.

Youth Talent Takes Centre Stage at 2025 EcoBank National Chess Championship

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