Ecobank partners NCF for schools chess championship

Ecobank Nigeria in partnership with the Nigeria Chess Federation (NCF) will host the third edition of the Ecobank National Schools’ Team Chess Championship in May.

The organisers disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.

The organisers said the championship aims to promote critical thinking and intellectual development among young Nigerians.

According to the Vice President of the NCF, Prince Adeyinka Adewole, the championship will hold from May 7 to May 8, 2026 at the Ecobank Pan African Centre (EPAC) in Lagos.

Adewole said the competition is open to primary and secondary schools nationwide and is expected to feature over 2,000 students.

He said the tournament would adopt a six-round rapid format, with primary school pupils competing on May 7 and secondary school students on May 8.

He added that students from schools for the visually impaired would also participate, reflecting the inclusive nature of the championship.

He noted that the 2026 edition would feature a N20 million prize pool, with participating schools competing in team-based formats across both categories.

Also speaking, the Head of Marketing and Corporate Communication, Ecobank Nigeria, Austen Osokpor, said the initiative aligns with the bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility focus on education and youth empowerment.

Osokpor said: “Chess is a powerful educational tool that builds problem-solving skills, discipline and strategic thinking.

“Through this championship, Ecobank is providing a platform that inspires young minds while promoting healthy competition and intellectual growth.”

He added that the tournament had evolved into a platform for discovering emerging chess talents while fostering teamwork, leadership and mental agility among students.

He said a leading school brand, Schoolmate, had joined the 2026 edition as a co-sponsor in line with its corporate social responsibility objectives.

The 2026 edition is expected to attract schools from across the country, with stakeholders in education and sports development commending the initiative for its impact on youth development.

The 2025 edition recorded participation from 990 primary school pupils across 198 schools, 680 secondary school students from 136 schools, and 160 students from 32 higher institutions, bringing total participation to 1,830 students from 366 schools.

This compares with 1,210 students from 242 schools in 2024.

A total of N20 million was awarded to winners in 2025, up from N16 million in 2024.