Nigerian chess player Tunde Onakoya, who founded Chess in Slums Africa, gave President Bola Ahmed Tinubu his world record for the longest “Chess Marathon.”
Guinness, a world-renowned beer maker, recognized Onakoya for playing the game for 64 hours straight in New York.
From April 17 to April 20, 2025, he played chess with Shawn Martinez, an American, at Times Square in New York City.
Tinubu expressed his admiration for Onakoya’s accomplishment and his ongoing efforts.
The President said on his X (formerly Twitter), “I had a great time meeting with Tunde Onakoya, @Tunde_OD. He shared with me the inspiring journey he’s been on for the past ten years, using chess as a powerful tool to transform the lives of children in slum communities.
“Through his work, he’s helped many of them out of the slums and into local and international schools, using the game not just to teach, but to build critical thinking and open doors.”
Onakoya on his own X (formerly Twitter account) wrote that, “ One special edition gold-plated Adire chess set, gifted to His Excellency, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, @officialABAT.
In addition, Onakoya co-founded the Great Minds Chess Academy and founded Chess in Slums Africa.