Emeka Moses
FirstBank has announced its strategic sponsorship of the second edition of ChessMasters, recognized as Africa’s largest school chess tournament.
Created by Eko Hotels and Suites and KEY Academy, the competition targets primary school students aged 6 to 11, aiming to foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership skills.
Olayinka Ijabiyi, FirstBank’s Acting Group Head of Marketing & Corporate Communications, noted that this partnership is part of the First@Sports initiative, which celebrates talent and drives social impact through sports. The bank views chess as a vital tool for sustainability, specifically aligning with its pillars of Education, Health, and Welfare. FirstBank’s involvement adds to its extensive legacy of supporting Nigerian sports, including over a century of partnership with the Georgian Cup.
The tournament’s leadership, including Caline Chagoury Moudabar and Damilola Okonkwo, expressed that FirstBank’s support will allow the event to scale, inviting more schools to join the movement. Additionally, Prince Adeyinka Adewole of the Nigeria Chess Federation emphasized that chess helps children become analytical and patient while improving concentration, which is particularly beneficial for children with autism.
The 2026 edition will take place on Saturday, 2 May 2026, at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos. Over 700 students from 150 schools across Lagos are expected to participate, vying for a substantial total prize pool of N10 million. Ultimately, the partnership reinforces ChessMasters as a strategic launchpad for empowering the next generation of African leaders.
