Coach Aford

At the 2026 @ecobank_nigeria National Schools Team Chess Championship, our secondary school team competed with everything they had. In one of the most fiercely contested secondary school fields in the tournament's history, the CISA team finished 4th overall, competing against some of the strongest and most resourced private school teams in the country. What the position does not show is how close they came: the team finished level on points with the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place teams, separated only by tiebreaks. Every single point was fought for. Every member of this team is from the Makoko community, the waterfront settlement that was partially demolished, its homes torn down and its families displaced. These boys showed up to one of Nigeria's most competitive school chess stages and still matched the best-resourced school teams in the country, point for point, until the very last calculation. That is not a small feat. The team comprised Kisegbeji Benjamin (17), Zannu Jonas (14), Vava Blessing (14), Azampo Daniel (14), and Avlessi Monday (14). They received a ₦1,000,000 prize and took home something more valuable: the knowledge that they can compete with anyone. We are grateful to our chess coaches Peter Abidogun(@Peterovskii) and Oluwoga Afolabi(@O_Aford), whose dedication and belief in these boys never wavers. We are not just producing chess players. We are producing a new generation of thinkers, competitors, and leaders from a community the world tried to erase. The work continues. ✊ #ChessInSlumsAfrica #UnveilingRoyaltyInEveryChild #ChessInNigeria #TundeOnakoya #MakokoChessKids

@Tunde_OD @chessinslums @wr_chess Wishing you all the Best @Tunde_OD

Playing at the FIDE world team rapid and blitz chess championship next month in HongKong alongside some of the greatest chess players in the world. Gonna be a bloodbath. Wish me luck 🇳🇬 ❤️ Proudly repping chess United @wr_chess

Our journey at the @ecobank_nigeria National Schools Team Chess Championship is a powerful story of resilience and excellence. At the 2026 edition of the tournament, the CISA Team emerged 1st place in the Primary School Category from over 140 schools across Nigeria. This victory marks a defining moment for the team, from finishing 3rd in the first edition, to coming in 2nd place the following year, and now claiming the national championship title. Throughout the tournament, the team demonstrated exceptional composure, discipline, and teamwork, winning all six of their matches in dominant fashion. What makes this achievement even more remarkable is that every member of the team is from the Makoko community. They were introduced to chess through Chess in Slums Africa’s community engagement programmes, and through consistent mentorship, support, and opportunity, they have shown that talent, when nurtured, can thrive anywhere. The team also delivered outstanding individual performances. Edwin Edewhen (10) gave a sensational run on Board One, winning the Gold Medal and earning the Best Player of the Tournament award, firmly establishing himself as one of Nigeria’s most promising young chess talents. On Board Five, Azampo Caleb (11) secured the Silver Medal, the team also featured the youngest participant in the tournament, Jonas Edewhen (8). Other members of the team include Augustine Ehuntin (11) and Avlessi Thankgod (11). We are deeply grateful to our coaches @Peterovskii @O_Aford and mentors whose dedication, sacrifice, and belief in these children continue to make moments like this possible. For these young boys from Makoko, this victory is not the destination—it is only the beginning. #ChessInSlumsAfrica #UnveilingRoyaltyInEveryChild #ChessInNigeria #TundeOnakoya

@Lordweb111 Reti, English Ruy Lopez.

Which chess opening instantly tells you someone is dangerous?

CONFIRMED: FM Bomo Kigigha has qualified to represent Nigeria at the 48th Chess Olympiad in September, and will share the board with his 14-year-old son Ekunke Goodness Odey. A father-son duo on Nigeria's Olympiad team is a rare and powerful moment for African chess.

@BKigigha Congratulations the C4 master. What’s an Olympiad 🇳🇬without Bomo.

About a week ago I qualified to rep my dear Nigeria at the 48th World chess Olympiad in September this year. This qualification is very special to me cos I'll be playing alongside my son and chess wiz Ekunke Goodness (14yrs).

One of our students at Aford Chess Academy competed at the Ecobank Chess Championship and returned with a board gold medal. It's a proud reminder of what practice and determination can achieve.✨ If you’d love your child to build strategic thinking through chess, send a message.

Chasing failure everyday.

Great news for Nigeria!

#Nigeria is set to host The @FIDE_chess World in #Abuja - The Capital City! Will you be there?

Meet Coach Aford.🤍

Which athlete is the best at chess? 🤔

After suffering an ankle injury, Alireza Firouzja is playing against Javokhir Sindarov from a special room at the hotel during Round 5 of the Superbet Chess Classic. A truly historic moment in elite chess! #Grandchesstour

CONFIRMED: Omoruyi Sandra, 16, qualifies for the 46th Chess Olympiad in Samarkand after finishing 2nd at the Nigeria Chess Olympiad Qualifiers.

Yesterday, the Anambra U25 Rapids started, with 6 rounds played yesterday. 5 more rounds will be played today. This was taken by 8AM today. In places where you wouldn't see chess tournaments, IM Toco × Cynthia have brought some amazing talents! #ThankYouIMToco #CyntocoChess

@TheTriceRozay Hi

If you are still under 8k followers Say hi 📷 Let’s follow you

♟️ Thank you to @Kasparov63 for joining the launch conference of the C.E.S.S. project and for supporting the digital future of chess and education. “Today is a historic day for chess.” — Garry Kasparov Thank you for inspiring the Romanian chess community and beyond. ♟️

Congratulations to Tyowase Collins, the winner of the 1ST ANAMBRA U25 RAPID CHESS TOURNAMENT! This makes it two Cyntoco Rapids events he's won, leveled with CM Toluwanimi. Congratulations, champ!👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 #ThankYouIMToco #CyntocoChess

Happy International Day of the Boy Child! May we continue to raise boys with wisdom, empathy, discipline, and emotional strength, so they grow into men we are proud to see lead, protect, and contribute positively to the world. 🥂 #internationaldayoftheboychild #mensday #chess

On this International Day of the Boy Child, we join the global community in reflecting on a truth that is often overlooked but urgent: boys don’t just grow, they bloom and thrive when they are intentionally nurtured, guided, and given space to become. At CISA, we understand that every boy carries within him potential shaped not only by talent but also by environment. A boy who is heard learns confidence. A boy who is guided learns discipline. A boy who is trusted learns responsibility. And a boy who is intentionally supported learns how to turn possibility into purpose. Too often, young boys are expected to “figure it out” without the structures that help them do so in healthy ways. But thriving does not happen by chance. It is created and built through safe spaces where expression is encouraged, through opportunities that stretch their abilities and consistent mentorship that reminds them that their growth matters. To bloom is to be seen beyond behaviour and into potential. To thrive is to be equipped not just for survival, but for impact. This is why intentional investment in boys is not optional; it is foundational to building stronger families, communities, and futures. Today, we celebrate every boy who is learning, unlearning, and growing into who he is meant to be. We also reaffirm our commitment to continue creating environments where boys are not limited by circumstance, but empowered by opportunity to flourish. Happy International Day of the Boy Child 🎤: @peacemyks #ChessInSlumsAfrica #UnveilingRoyaltyInEveryChild #ChessInNigeria #TundeOnakoya #internationaldayoftheboychild