Renowned Nigerian chess master and founder of the Chess in Slums initiative, Tunde Onakoya, has shared a deeply moving story of triumph and resilience.
His adopted son, Jamiu, has emerged victorious in a prestigious chess competition in the United States, marking a significant milestone in his journey from hardship to success.
Onakoya, who has dedicated his life to empowering underprivileged children through chess, first encountered Jamiu and his younger brother, Ayomide, in 2018. The boys lived in the slums of Majidun, Ikorodu, Lagos, struggling to survive under dire conditions.
“In 2018, I met Jamiu,” he wrote on social media. “He was a curious kid, brilliant and full of light. At the time, he was working as a roadside mechanic… I invited him and his brother Ayomide to our weekend chess academy.”
As Onakoya spent more time with the boys, he visited their home and met their mother, a woman whose strength and sacrifice left a lasting impact on him.
“That’s my mum, he said,” Onakoya recalled. “She was never taken to the hospital as there was no money to sort the medical bills,” Onakoya said. Her husband had abandoned her as soon as Jamiu was born, so they never met their father.”
Her health worsened in 2019, and in her final moments, she made a heartfelt request to Onakoya:
“She cried and asked me to take care of her boys if anything happened to her.”
Just two weeks later, she passed away, leaving her sons orphaned.
“That day, I became a father,” Onakoya said. “They moved in with me. We got them back in school. Jamiu became a chess champion and is currently completing his university education. I’ve watched him grow into a remarkable young man. His brother Ayomide, a track and field star, is in his final secondary school year.”
Now, seven years later, Jamiu has achieved something extraordinary. Competing against over 200 USCF-rated players, he emerged as the winner of the ICN Chess Championship in New York, earning a $500 scholarship.
Overwhelmed with pride and emotion, Onakoya shared his joy: “Today, my heart is overwhelmed with joy words can barely hold,” he wrote. “I fought back tears today because I am immensely proud of you. Mama Jamiu, your boys are doing well. I kept my promise. I always will.”
Jamiu’s journey from the slums of Lagos to a championship stage in New York stands as a testament to the power of mentorship, resilience, and the transformative impact of chess.
