FirstBank has announced its sponsorship of the 2026 edition of ChessMasters, Africa’s largest school chess tournament, in partnership with Eko Hotels & Suites and KEY Academy. The announcement was made during a press conference held on March 16, 2026, in Lagos.
ChessMasters, an annual tournament targeted at primary school pupils aged 6 to 11, is designed to nurture critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership skills among young learners. Organised by Eko Hotels & Suites and KEY Academy, the initiative brings together schools from across Nigeria, offering children a platform to develop essential modern educational skills.
Speaking at the event, Olayinka Ijabiyi, Acting Group Head of Marketing & Corporate Communications at FirstBank, said the sponsorship underscores the bank’s commitment to youth development, inclusion, and community impact through its First@Sports initiative. She noted FirstBank’s longstanding support for sports development in Nigeria, highlighting its legacy partnerships spanning over a century.
Ijabiyi added that the initiative aligns with the bank’s sustainability focus on education, health, and welfare, emphasizing chess as a powerful tool for intellectual growth and leadership development among children.
Also speaking, Caline Chagoury Moudabar, Co-Founder of ChessMasters, alongside Damilola Okonkwo of KEY Academy, praised FirstBank’s involvement, stating that the partnership will expand the tournament’s reach and encourage broader participation among schools.
Vice President of the Nigeria Chess Federation, Prince Adeyinka Adewole, commended the initiative, noting that chess helps children develop analytical thinking, patience, and effective decision-making skills, while also improving concentration.
The 2026 ChessMasters tournament is scheduled to take place on May 2 at Eko Hotels & Suites, Lagos. The competition will feature over 150 schools and more than 700 students competing for prizes worth ₦10 million.
FirstBank’s support further positions ChessMasters as a growing platform for empowering African children through education, using chess as a catalyst for talent development and leadership growth.
