FirstBank has announced its sponsorship of the 2026 edition of ChessMasters, Africa’s largest school chess tournament, in partnership with Eko Hotels and Suites and KEY Academy.
The announcement was made during a press conference held on March 16, 2026, in Lagos, where stakeholders highlighted the role of the tournament in nurturing young talents and promoting critical thinking among children.
ChessMasters is an annual competition targeted at primary school pupils aged between six and 11 years. Designed to equip participants with problem-solving, leadership, and analytical skills, the initiative brings together schools from across Nigeria to compete on a national stage.
Speaking at the event, Olayinka Ijabiyi, Acting Group Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications at FirstBank of Nigeria Limited, said the sponsorship reflects the bank’s commitment to youth development and social impact through its First@Sports initiative.
“Our sponsorship of ChessMasters 2026 reflects our commitment to building talents and communities, driving inclusion, and deepening engagement through sports,” she said, noting the bank’s longstanding support for sporting initiatives in Nigeria.
Ijabiyi noted that the partnership aligns with FirstBank’s sustainability focus on education, health, and welfare, describing the tournament as a platform to empower children and foster leadership development through chess.
Also speaking, Caline Chagoury Moudabar, co-founder of ChessMasters, alongside her partner Damilola Okonkwo, expressed appreciation for the bank’s support, stating that the collaboration would expand participation and deepen the impact of the initiative.
“We are happy to welcome FirstBank on board. This collaboration will boost chess development in Nigeria and promote critical thinking among young minds,” she said.
In his remarks, Adeyinka Adewole, Vice President of the Nigeria Chess Federation, commended the initiative, noting that chess helps children develop analytical thinking, patience, and effective decision-making skills.
The 2026 edition of ChessMasters is scheduled to hold on May 2 at Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos. The tournament is expected to feature over 700 students from 150 schools across Lagos, competing for prizes worth N10 million.
Stakeholders noted that FirstBank’s involvement further strengthens the tournament’s potential as a platform for developing young African talents, while promoting education and leadership through the game of chess.
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