The 2026 Ecobank National Schools' Team Chess Championship concluded in Lagos over the weekend, with Platform School, Ipaja, emerging as the winner in the secondary school category. The Ipaja-based school took home N2.5 million in prize money.
Other Winners
Dayspring School, Oyo, secured second place and received N2 million, while Kings College, Lagos, finished third with N1.5 million. In the primary school category, Chess in Slums Africa team representing Makoko was among the winners.
Competition Details
The Third Ecobank School Chess Championship featured intense competition across primary and secondary levels, showcasing remarkable strategic skills from young players. The event was held at the Ecobank Pan African Centre (EPAC), Victoria Island, Lagos, with a total prize pool of N20 million. This year's edition saw participation from 1,500 students representing 300 schools, focusing on nurturing strategic thinking and intellectual development.
Call for Grand Masters
Kunle Adewoyi, Head of Educational and Social Services of Ecobank, urged the students to strive to become Grand Masters in the future. "There are Grand Masters in Kenya, Rwanda and some other African countries, but, sadly, we don't have any in Nigeria at the moment. It is our prayer that some of these students will become one in the near future," he stated. Adewoyi noted that Ecobank is committed to sponsoring chess because it aids children's development.
The Vice President of the Nigerian Chess Federation, Adeyinka Adewale, praised Ecobank and other partners for sponsoring the tournament and promised that next year's edition will be bigger and better.
