Nigeria’s Chess Champion Tunde Onakoya Shares Inspirational Story of Two Adopted Brothers

Tunde Onakoya, Nigeria’s chess champion and an advocate for using the game to empower underprivileged youth, has shared an emotional story about two brothers he adopted after the death of their mother.

One of the brothers, Jamiu, has now become a chess champion in the United States.

Onakoya, who has long been committed to providing opportunities for disadvantaged children through chess, first encountered Jamiu and his younger brother Ayomide in 2018.

At the time, the brothers were living in the slums of Majidun, Ikorodu, Lagos. Jamiu, a curious and bright child, was working as a roadside mechanic to support his family.

Onakoya invited Jamiu and Ayomide to his weekend chess academy, and over time, he grew close to the brothers. He later visited their home, where he met their mother, a kind woman who had tragically lost her leg in an accident while scavenging for plastic bottles to feed her children.

Onakoya recalled the heartbreaking conversation he had with their mother: “She was never taken to the hospital because they couldn’t afford the medical bills. Their father had abandoned them when Jamiu was born, and they never knew him.”

In 2019, their mother became critically ill. Before her passing, she made a heartfelt request to Onakoya, asking him to look after her boys. Two weeks later, she passed away.

“I became a father that day,” Onakoya shared. He took the brothers into his home, enrolled them in school, and watched as Jamiu, with his determination, became a chess champion. Jamiu is now pursuing a university education, while Ayomide, a track and field athlete, is finishing his final year of secondary school.

In a major milestone, Jamiu recently won the ICN Chess Championship in New York, defeating over 200 USCF-rated players. He earned a $500 scholarship for his achievement.

Onakoya expressed his immense pride, writing, “Today, my heart is overwhelmed with joy. I fought back tears because I am so proud of you. Mama Jamiu, your boys are doing well. I kept my promise. I always will.”