The Lagos State Government, in partnership with the Nigeria School Sport Federation (NSSF), has successfully concluded the first-ever National School Board Games, a two-day chess tournament that brought together over 300 young players from across the country.
The event, held at the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LASUBEB) Multi-Purpose Hall, ended on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, and featured competitions in the U-9, U-12, U-15, and U-18 categories.
During the closing ceremony, Lagos State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Ali-Balogun, commended the participants for their dedication and praised the initiative for fostering intellectual growth.
“Chess is a game of strategy and intellect, and it aligns perfectly with our vision of raising well-rounded individuals capable of critical thinking and leadership in the future,” he stated. He reaffirmed the Lagos State Government’s commitment to integrating sports into education, recognizing it as a vital tool for cognitive and character development.
The Executive Chairman of LASUBEB, Dr. Hakeem Shittu, expressed appreciation to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his relentless support in transforming Lagos’ basic education sector through innovative learning and extracurricular programmes.
“Everyone is a winner here today. We encourage participants who did not win a trophy or medal to see this tournament not just as a competition but as an opportunity to sharpen their cognitive skills and build friendships with peers from different states,” Dr. Shittu remarked.
NSSF President, Mrs. Olabisi Joseph, lauded the collaboration between NSSF and LASUBEB, emphasizing the impact of such competitions in nurturing young talents. She also revealed that the federation plans to introduce other board games like Scrabble and Monopoly in future editions.
“Winners from this event will represent Nigeria at the International School Sports Federation (ISF) and African School Sports Games in Serbia and Morocco later this year,” she announced, underscoring the tournament’s role in preparing Nigerian students for global competitions.
The tournament concluded with the presentation of trophies, medals, and certificates to the top-performing players in each category.
The success of the maiden National School Board Games has set the stage for future editions, promising greater participation and more opportunities for young Nigerian talents to thrive in the world of competitive board games.
