1,500 Students Jostle for Ecobank National Schools Team Chess Championship N20m Prize Money

A total prize pool of 20 million will be at stake when the Ecobank National Schools Team Chess Championship returns for its third edition in Lagos, underlining growing investment in grassroots chess development in Nigeria.

The championship, scheduled for 7 to 8 May at the Ecobank Pan African Centre (E-PAC), is expected to feature not less than 1,500 pupils and students representing 300 schools from across the country.

Organisers say the prize structure reflects a deliberate effort to reward excellence, while encouraging wider participation among young players.

The winning team in the primary school category will receive 2 million, while the secondary school champions will go home with 2.5 million. In addition to team prizes, individual performers across all five boards will also be rewarded, ensuring recognition for standout talents within each team.

Speaking at a press conference, Vice President of the Nigeria Chess Federation, Adeyinka Adewole, said the growing financial commitment to the competition highlights its importance in developing future chess champions.

“This is targeted at primary and secondary school students between the ages of 7 and 18. That is where we can discover the grandmasters of tomorrow,” he said.

Mr Adewole noted that beyond the prize money, the championship offers young players a pathway into competitive chess, aligning with global standards set by FIDE.

Each participating school will field a team of five players, with entries expected from at least 15 states. The competition remains open, provided participants meet age and school eligibility requirements.

Ecobank’s Segment Head for Education, Faith and Social Services, Adekunle Adewuyi, described the prize pool as part of the bank’s broader commitment to youth development.

“Chess is a powerful educational tool. It sharpens critical thinking, problem-solving and discipline. Through this initiative, we are preparing young Nigerians not just for competition but for leadership roles in the future,” he said.

Also speaking, Head of Brand Management and Experiential Marketing at Ecobank, Tomilola Fetuga, said the financial incentives are designed to complement the intellectual benefits of the game.

“Chess builds discipline, teamwork and intellectual capacity. The rewards attached to this competition help motivate students while reinforcing these values,” she said.

Since its inception, the championship has witnessed steady growth, with participation rising significantly between its first and second editions. Organisers say the introduction of a strong prize structure has contributed to increased interest among schools and young players.

Beyond the financial rewards, participants are also integrated into a global chess database, enabling them to track their development and transition into rated competitions over time.

Despite challenges such as travel and accommodation costs for teams coming from outside Lagos, organisers expressed confidence that the scale and incentives attached to the competition will continue to attract nationwide participation.

With a substantial prize pool and a clear focus on youth development, the championship is positioning itself as one of the most impactful school sports events in Nigeria.

“We believe one of these children will become a grandmaster,” Adewole said. “That is the vision driving this tournament.”