All is now set for the 2026 Ecobank National Schools’ Team Chess Championship, as organisers finalize arrangements for what promises to be one of Nigeria’s largest scholastic chess tournaments.
The third edition of the competition, organised in partnership with the Nigeria Chess Federation (NCF) and SchoolMate Nigeria, will take place from May 7 to 8, 2026, at the Ecobank Pan African Centre (EPAC) in Lagos. The championship is expected to host about 1,500 pupils and students drawn from 300 schools across the country.
Speaking ahead of the tournament, Ecobank’s Segment Head for Education, Faith and Social Services, Adekunle Adewuyi, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to nurturing young intellectual talent through chess. He described the championship as a growing national platform designed to develop critical thinking, discipline, and leadership skills among Nigerian youths.
According to him, the initiative has evolved into a powerful tool for identifying and grooming future leaders. “Chess sharpens the mind and builds problem-solving skills. Through this championship, we are preparing young Nigerians not only for competition but for leadership in the future,” he said.
Adewuyi noted the steady growth of the competition, recalling that the 2025 edition attracted over 2,500 students from 450 schools. He expressed confidence that the 2026 edition would record even greater participation and impact.
Also speaking, Vice President of the Nigeria Chess Federation, Prince Adeyinka Adewole Samuel, said the championship aligns with global standards set by the International Chess Federation (FIDE), which encourages structured school-level competitions worldwide.
He disclosed that this year’s event will feature about 150 primary and 150 secondary schools, with each school presenting a five-member team. This brings the expected number of participants to approximately 1,500 students from about 15 states, competing for a total prize pool of ₦20 million.
To ensure a seamless tournament, Adewole said enhanced measures have been introduced, including stricter eligibility screening, improved crowd control, and the deployment of 50 trained arbiters to uphold fairness and transparency.
He further highlighted the championship’s growing international impact, noting that several Nigerian students who emerged from previous editions have excelled at continental tournaments. “Nigeria won a gold medal in Uganda last year, and many of those players are products of this championship,” he said.
On his part, the Marketing Head of SchoolMate Nigeria, Ambesh Kumar, said the company’s partnership reflects its commitment to advancing education and youth development. He noted that chess plays a vital role in building discipline, focus, and strategic thinking among children.
“We see this tournament as a meaningful way of giving back to society. Our involvement underscores our passion for quality education and holistic child development,” Kumar stated.
The Ecobank National Schools’ Team Chess Championship continues to gain momentum as a nationwide platform for discovering young talents, while equipping students with essential life skills such as teamwork, confidence, and strategic thinking.