By Ayomide Otitoju
FirstBank has announced its strategic sponsorship of the second edition of ChessMasters, Africa’s largest school chess tournament, reinforcing its commitment to youth development and educational advancement.
The announcement was made at the tournament’s official press conference held on March 16, 2026, at Eko Hotels and Suites.
ChessMasters, an annual competition organised by Eko Hotels and Suites in partnership with KEY Academy, is designed to equip primary school pupils aged six to 11 with critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership skills. The initiative aims to bring together schools nationwide while fostering modern educational competencies among young learners.
Speaking at the event, Acting Group Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications at FirstBank, Olayinka Ijabiyi, said the sponsorship aligns with the bank’s broader commitment to talent development, inclusion, and community engagement through its First@Sports platform.
He highlighted the bank’s longstanding support for sports development in Nigeria, citing partnerships spanning over a century, including 105 years with the Georgian Cup, 65 years with the Lagos Amateur Golf Championship, and 35 years with the Dala Hard Court Tennis Championship.
Ijabiyi added that the initiative also supports FirstBank’s sustainability pillars of education, health, and welfare, noting that chess serves as a valuable tool for nurturing analytical thinking and leadership skills among children.
Co-founder of ChessMasters, Caline Chagoury Moudabar, alongside partner Damilola Okonkwo, welcomed the partnership, stating that FirstBank’s involvement would help expand the tournament’s reach and encourage greater participation from schools across Nigeria.
Also speaking, Vice President of the Nigeria Chess Federation, Prince Adeyinka Adewole, commended the initiative, noting that chess fosters analytical thinking, patience, and effective time management, while also improving concentration among children.
The second edition of ChessMasters is scheduled to hold on May 2, 2026, at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos. The tournament will feature participation from 150 schools across Lagos, with over 700 students expected to compete for a total prize pool of N10 million.
FirstBank said its involvement underscores the growing potential of ChessMasters as a platform for empowering African children through education and leadership development.
