FirstBank 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 young pupils with critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership skills. The tournament targets primary school children between the ages of six and eleven.
The event is organised by Eko Hotels and Suites in partnership with KEY Academy. It was created 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 press conference, the Acting Group Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications at FirstBank, Olayinka Ijabiyi, said the sponsorship reflects the bank’s commitment to talent development and community impact.
“Our sponsorship of ChessMasters 2026 reflects our commitment to building talents and communities, driving inclusion, and deepening engagement through our First@Sports initiative,” she said.
Ijabiyi explained that First@Sports is a platform that celebrates talent and promotes social impact through sports. She also highlighted the bank’s long-standing support for sporting initiatives in Nigeria.
“With over a century of supporting legacy sports in Nigeria, we are proud of our enduring 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,” she added.
She further noted that the partnership aligns with FirstBank’s sustainability pillars of Education, Health, and Welfare.
According to her, chess helps young children challenge themselves, think critically, and compete at a high level. She described the tournament as a potential launchpad for a pan-African movement that uses chess as a tool for education, empowerment, and leadership development.
Also speaking at the event, Caline Chagoury Moudabar, Director and Co-Founder of ChessMasters, expressed appreciation for the partnership with FirstBank.
She said the collaboration would help expand the tournament’s impact and encourage more schools to participate.
“We are happy to welcome FirstBank on board. This collaboration will boost chess development in Nigeria and promote critical thinking among young minds,” she said.
Her partner and co-organiser from Key Academy, Damilola Okonkwo, added that the partnership would open participation to more schools and children across the country.
Vice President of the Nigeria Chess Federation, Prince Adeyinka Adewole, also commended the initiative, noting that chess plays an important role in nurturing future talents.
“Chess connects people, ideas, and opportunities. It teaches children to be analytical, patient, and manage their time and resources effectively,” he said.
He also explained that chess improves concentration and has been particularly beneficial for children with autism.
The second edition of ChessMasters will take place on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos.
The competition is open to 150 schools across Lagos, with more than 700 students expected to participate. Participants will compete for a total prize pool of N10 million.
FirstBank’s involvement in the 2026 edition is expected to strengthen the tournament’s vision of empowering African children through chess while promoting education, leadership, and strategic thinking.
