Lagos: The Nigerian Institute of Management Chartered (NIM) has hosted a chess tournament to stimulate critical thinking in primary and secondary school students in Lagos State.
Thediggernews reports that the tournament is an advocacy initiative of the institute in partnership with Dynamic Chess Ville, a chess foundation.
The President of NIM, Commodore Abimbola Ayuba (retd.), said at the invitational chess competition on Thursday in Lagos that the competition brought together young chess talents to interact and gain exposure.
He said that the tournament, which was in its maiden edition, was designed to
promote inclusivity and nurture key life skills such as strategic thinking, discipline, and sportsmanship through the game of chess.
“It also seeks to foster a spirit of healthy competition, empower young minds and celebrate intellectual excellence.
“At the end of today’s competition, trophies, medals, and prize money will be won while the participating schools will receive a certificate of participation,” he said.
Ayuba said that the winner in the primary school category would win N150, 000, the first runner-up N100, 000, and the second runner-up N50, 000.
He said that in the secondary school category, the winner would receive N200, 000, while the first and second runners-up would receive N150, 000 and N100,000, respectively.
Ayuba said that from 2026, the institute would consider expanding the scope of the competition to make it a national event.
“What we have done is to create a garden of future champions in chess where they can be groomed to exploit internationally,” he said.
In his remarks, Mr Tolulope Fasinu, Managing Director of Dynamic Chess Ville, said the tournament was an opportunity to invest in the development of
schoolchildren.
Fasinu said that chess was an important sport because it helped to improve cognitive abilities and calculation skills, boost self-confidence, and sharpen
decision-making skills.
He urged governments and corporate organisations to invest in chess to widen its reach, improve its outcomes and encourage participation in chess competitions at the global level.
The participating schools in the primary category include Chess in
Slums Africa, Indian Language School, Bethany Hall School, and Home Science
Association Nursery and Primary School.
Others are Dupeola Childrenland School, Dansol Nursery and Primary School, Favour of God International School, and Priceless Jewel Elementary School.
The participating schools in the secondary school category include Chess in
Slums Africa, Indian Language School, Home Science Association Secondary
School, Grenville School, Kings College and Queens College.
Others are Value Place School, Favour of God International School, Chess with Laura and Dynamic Chess Ville.
Bethany Hall School secured the first position in the primary school category, while Chess in Slums Africa and Home Science Association Nursery and Primary School emerged second and third, respectively.Home Science Association Secondary School took first in the secondary school category, while Indian Language School and Dynamic Chess Ville came second and third, respectively.
