By Peace Udugba -The daily torch media
FirstBank, West Africa’s premier financial institution and a leading provider of financial inclusion services, has announced its strategic sponsorship of the second edition of ChessMasters, Africa’s largest school chess tournament.
The announcement was made during the tournament’s official press conference held on March 16, 2026, at Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos.
ChessMasters is an annual competition designed to equip the next generation with critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership skills. Targeted at primary school children aged 6 to 11, the tournament is organised by Eko Hotels and Suites in partnership with KEY Academy. It aims to provide thousands of children across Nigeria with opportunities to develop modern educational skills while bringing schools together on a national stage.
Speaking at the event, Olayinka Ijabiyi, Acting Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications at FirstBank, said the bank’s sponsorship reflects its commitment to talent development and community building.
“Our sponsorship of ChessMasters 2026 underscores our dedication to driving inclusion and deepening engagement through our First@Sports initiative, a platform that celebrates talent and promotes social impact through sports,” she said. “With over a century of supporting legacy sports in Nigeria, we take pride in our long-standing partnerships—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 further noted that the initiative aligns with FirstBank’s sustainability pillars of Education, Health, and Welfare.
“We recognise the power of chess in helping children think critically, challenge themselves, and compete at the highest levels. This tournament serves as a launchpad for a pan-African movement that leverages chess as a tool for education, empowerment, and leadership development,” she added.
Also speaking, Caline Chagoury Moudabar, Director and Co-Founder of ChessMasters, alongside her partner Damilola Okonkwo of KEY Academy, expressed appreciation for FirstBank’s support. They noted that the partnership would help scale the impact of the initiative and encourage more schools to participate.
“We are delighted to welcome FirstBank on board. This collaboration will significantly boost chess development in Nigeria and promote critical thinking among young minds. With partners like FirstBank, we are expanding access and opening doors for more children and schools in this year’s edition,” they said.
Prince Adeyinka Adewole, Vice President of the Nigeria Chess Federation, also commended the initiative, highlighting its role in nurturing future talents.
“Chess connects people, ideas, and opportunities. It teaches children analytical thinking, patience, and effective time management. It also improves concentration and has proven beneficial, especially for children with autism,” he noted.
The second edition of ChessMasters is scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos. The competition will feature 150 schools across Lagos, with over 700 students expected to participate and compete for a total prize pool of ₦10 million.
FirstBank’s involvement in the 2026 edition further reinforces the potential of ChessMasters to evolve into a major platform for empowering African children through education and strategic thinking
