Tunde Onakoya Makes History with Chess Exhibition at Duolingo Headquarters in New York
Tunde Onakoya, the visionary founder of Chess in Slums Africa, has achieved another groundbreaking milestone by becoming the first Nigerian to participate in a high-profile chess exhibition at the Duolingo headquarters in New York City. This event marks a significant moment in his ongoing mission to use chess as a tool for social change and educational empowerment.
Symbolic Chess Match and Children's Involvement
The exhibition featured Onakoya facing off against Duolingo's iconic mascot in a symbolic battle of wits, but the true highlight was the presence of five children from underserved communities in Lagos. Onakoya personally arranged for these children to travel to the United States, where they served as the primary test pilots for a new mobile chess application. For many of these young participants, this journey represented their first time leaving their local neighborhoods, offering them an unprecedented firsthand experience of the global technology industry in Manhattan.
Building on Previous Achievements
This visit to New York follows Onakoya's remarkable achievement in April 2025, when he set a Guinness World Record by completing a 64-hour chess marathon in Times Square. That marathon, which lasted exactly 64 hours to symbolize each square on a chessboard, successfully raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to support the education of marginalized children across Africa. The Duolingo event represents the latest chapter in his "One Board, One Million Dreams" initiative, which continues to gain momentum and international recognition.
Strategic Shift and Social Impact
The collaboration with global brands like Duolingo indicates a strategic evolution in Onakoya's approach, transitioning from grassroots street-level activism to forming institutional partnerships that leverage technology for social mobility. By actively involving children born in slums in the development and testing of digital tools, Onakoya is effectively bridging the gap between Lagos's most vulnerable populations and the innovation hubs of Silicon Valley. This approach not only provides practical opportunities but also challenges traditional narratives about who can participate in technological advancement.
Future Plans and Recognition
The Chess in Slums team is expected to continue their U.S. tour with several additional stops at educational and technological centers across the country. These engagements will further solidify Onakoya's reputation as both a "veteran of the board" in chess circles and a pioneering figure in social engineering through education. His work demonstrates how strategic partnerships can amplify social impact, creating pathways for underprivileged children to engage with global technology and educational resources.
