Nigerian chess master and founder of Chess in Slums Africa, Tunde Onakoya, has responded to public criticism surrounding his recent visit to President Bola Tinubu, asserting that the meeting was apolitical and rooted in national recognition of his achievements.
Onakoya, who recently broke a Guinness World Record and was honored by the City of New York, defended his choice to present his certificate to the President, explaining that acknowledgment from the highest office in the land should not be equated with political endorsement.
“The anger, the love, the criticism all of it is valid,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter). “But being acknowledged for my work is not a political statement.”
He stressed his commitment to neutrality, citing the nature of his work with vulnerable children and his history of turning down awards he felt conflicted with his principles.
Drawing a line between his actions and political alignment, he dismissed comparisons to those who accept honors from controversial regimes as “laughable.”
Reaffirming the core mission of Chess in Slums Africa, Onakoya described it not as charity but as a transformative educational effort that fosters cognitive development and academic growth for underserved children.
“Our mission is to dignify the stories of children often ignored and help them build the capacity to think, learn, and thrive.”
Addressing criticism that his initiative reflects governmental shortcomings, he said, “We use chess as an intervention for kids who have fallen through the cracks. This is not about politics it’s about purpose.”
Onakoya also shared that Chess in Slums has been operating independently for seven years, without international grants, and highlighted ongoing collaborations such as their partnership with the Lagos State Government to rehabilitate street children.
“To those questioning my motives: I’ll continue to meet people and sell my chess boards,” he wrote. “A visit is not an endorsement.”
He concluded with a reaffirmation of his long-term vision: “In ten or twenty years, the Chess/STEM Institute will exist, and it will change lives. My fight is different. I took a stand ten years ago, and I stand by it. I live for the audience of one and that is enough.”
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