Early Life
Tunde Onakoya was born on 6 October 1994 in Ikorodu, Lagos,
Nigeria. He grew up in poverty in the slums of Ikorodu, where he first learned
chess at a barber's shop. Onakoya has frequently remembered that his mother
toiled for six years as a school cleaner to pay his school fees, allowing him
to remain in school and play chess. He states that learning chess as a kid
"saved" him, providing him with an identity and hope outside of his
troubled environment.
Education
Onakoya graduated with a diploma in computer science from
Yaba College of Technology in Lagos. While studying at Yaba Tech he also
excelled at chess and athletics: he received a gold medal playing for the school
at Nigeria's Polytechnic Games. He also won national chess titles like the
Friends of Chess and the Chevron Chess Open. In his early 20s he had reached
the National Master title in Nigeria and was ranked as one of the country's
leading players (for a time somewhere around #13 nationally).
Chess Career
Onakoya has built a career as a chess player, coach, and
organizer. He has won numerous local tournaments and represented Nigeria in
competitions. Besides his playing career, he serves on the board of The Gift of
Chess, a New York–based charity, as a reflection of his double career as a
player and promoter of the game. International media have featured him: for
example, CNN's African Voices covered his story and work on its Changemakers
program.
Chess in Slums Africa
Onakoya founded Chess in Slums Africa, an NGO run entirely
by volunteers who have the mission to empower poverty-stricken children with
chess, in 2018.
The organization brings chess clubs and coaching to slum
neighborhoods (for instance, Makoko and Majidun of Lagos) and follows them up
with educational support. To date, it has coached over 200 children and secured
long-term scholarships for some 20 pupils. Forbes Africa reports that Onakoya's
efforts go beyond chess: for instance, "Project C.A.S.T.L.E."
includes STEM (robotics, coding, etc.) and critical-thinking education, and a
"LIFELINE" program provides scholarships and vocational training.
These efforts aim to teach leadership, problem-solving, and life skills to
underprivileged youth. In March 2025, News sources highlighted that his
students were amazing successes overseas – e.g. at a US chess convention one
student was awarded a "Young Genius" award and several received
medals and scholarships – showing the success of his mentoring.
Guinness World Records
Onakoya is internationally best known for his marathon chess
challenges.
In April 2024 he played chess nonstop for around 60 hours in
New York's Times Square, shattering the former 56-hour record. This arduous
attempt (with short breaks according to Guinness guidelines) unofficially
established a new record and allegedly collected $100,000 for African
children's schooling. A year later, on 20 April 2025, he officially established
the Guinness World Record by playing a 64-hour game straight through with U.S.
coach Shawn Martinez. This "64-hour marathon" shattered the latest
record and was widely covered by Guinness.
Notable Appearances
Onakoya's work has drawn celebrity and media interest.
He has featured in global media (e.g. CNN's African Voices
in 2021) and in Forbes Africa, which reported his New York record attempts.
During the 2024 Times Square marathon his efforts became
viral: Nigerian singer Davido – returning from a Madison Square Garden
performance – stopped by to lend a hand, even placing a chain around Onakoya's
neck in solidarity. Singer Adekunle Gold also made an appearance at the event,
donating cash and iPads to help with live streaming. Such visits, including
congratulatory trips from Nigerian officials, brought his tale into the
spotlight. (Onakoya has gone on to give keynote speeches, including at a United
Nations conference in 2025, further raising his profile.) By mid-2025 he had
acquired over a million social-media followers around the world, evidence of
his status as an icon among youths.
Awards and Recognition
Onakoya's contribution to society has been officially
recognized. In July 2024, he was awarded the "Force of Social Good"
award at Nigeria's Trendupp Awards in recognition of influencers and content
creators doing good.
(The Trendupp Awards ceremony especially recognized him
among other notable Nigerians for his efforts.) He has also been invited and
noted by government agencies and NGOs for commendation of his efforts among
youth.
Principal news and culture platforms in Nigeria regularly
feature him as an inspirational young leader.
Net Worth
There is no credible public estimate to be found for
Onakoya's individual net worth. All serious reporting about Onakoya is about
his charitable objectives (e.g. "to raise a million dollars" for
children's education) and chess exploits, not wealth accumulation.
Conclusion
The life of Tunde Onakoya is one of inspiration as to
how determination and perseverance can lead to radical social change. From his
humble beginnings in Ikorodu to becoming a global personality, he has used the
game of chess as a vehicle for learning and inspiration, showing that planning
and determination can change lives. His ongoing dedication to Chess in Slums
Africa continues to open doors to new horizons for millions of children, making
him a beacon of hope and a catalyst for change.
