Nigerian chess master Tunde Onakoya has been gifted a brand new Nord A9 SUV by local automaker Nord Motion following a friendly chess match with the company’s CEO, Oluwatobi Ajayi.
Onakoya, founder of Chess in Slums Africa, took to X.com on Thursday to share his excitement, posting photos of the vehicle and thanking the company for the generous gesture.
He wrote, “Just got home to the most heartwarming surprise from my #nordmotion family—the stunning new Nord A9 SUV. Hands down the most beautiful car I’ve ever owned, but even more beautiful is the love behind this incredible gift. Grateful beyond words.
“Of course the only way to get the new car was by not losing this match.”
He revealed that the gift also came with an extension of his ambassadorial contract with the brand for another year.
Onakoya added, “I call #OluwatobiAjayiJ the “Elon” of Africa because while most people only know him for being one of the pioneers made in Nigeria cars, he’s also a great thinker and innovator across board.
“Proud to extend our partnership as Brand Ambassador for another year. Up Naija. A beauty to behold + made in Nigeria. Thank you #nordmotion for this incredible gift.”
In a statement released on Wednesday, Nord Automobiles announced that the SUV was presented to Tunde Onakoya on May 5, 2025, as both a recognition of his global achievements and a tribute to the shared values of innovation, discipline, and Nigerian excellence.
The statement partly read, “In a fitting tribute to the brand’s spirit of competition, the event included a thrilling chess match between Onakoya and the CEO of Nord Automobiles, Oluwatobi Ajayi. The highly contested game ended in a draw, showcasing the strategic brilliance of both competitors and further cementing their bond.
“The friendly rivalry between Onakoya and Ajayi mirrors the passion, precision, and determination that both individuals embody in their respective fields-Onakoya in chess, and Ajayi in automotive leadership.
“As his partnership with Nord continues to grow, this new car serves as a symbol of his extraordinary journey. Just like his record-breaking chess game, Onakoya’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance, and with every new challenge, there’s always another car to match the victory- another game, another car.”
According to reports, Onakoya previously won a Nord SUV in June 2024 after defeating Oluwatobi Ajayi in a similar chess match, an achievement that also earned him a brand ambassador role with the automaker.
Earlier, in April 2024, Onakoya and his U.S. counterpart, Shawn Martinez, officially set a new Guinness World Record by completing a 64-hour chess marathon—marking Onakoya’s second time breaking the esteemed record.
Their feat surpassed the 60-hour marathon they completed earlier that month, which had already broken the previous 56-hour record set in 2018 by Norwegians Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad.