FirstBank Collaborates with Eko Hotels & KEY Academy to Host ChessMasters 2026 Tournament
FirstBank, West Africa’s leading financial institution and champion of financial inclusion, has officially announced its sponsorship of the upcoming second edition of ChessMasters, Africa’s largest school chess competition. The announcement was made during the press conference held on 16 March 2026 at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos.
Designed to nurture critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership skills among young learners, ChessMasters is an annual event targeting primary school children aged 6 to 11. Organized by Eko Hotels and Suites in partnership with KEY Academy, the tournament aims to provide thousands of Nigerian children with opportunities to develop essential educational skills and showcase their talents on a national platform.
During the press briefing, Olayinka Ijabiyi, Acting Group Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications at FirstBank, stated, “Our sponsorship of ChessMasters 2026 reflects our commitment to building talents and communities, driving inclusion, and deepening engagement through our First@Sports initiative, a platform that celebrates talent and promotes social impact through sports. With over a century of supporting legacy sports in Nigeria, we are proud of our enduring partnerships — 105 years with the Georgian Cup, 65 years with the Lagos Amateur Golf Championship, and 35 years with the Dala Hard Court Tennis Championship.”
He further explained how the sponsorship aligns with FirstBank’s core pillars of Education, Health, and Welfare. “We recognise the potential of chess to help school-age children challenge themselves, think critically, and compete at the highest level. We see this tournament as a launchpad for a pan-African movement leveraging chess as a tool for education, empowerment, and leadership development. We are utilizing this platform as another avenue to promote social impact and drive positive change in the community.”
Caline Chagoury Moudabar, Director and Co-Founder of ChessMasters, along with her partner Damilola Okonkwo of KEY Academy, expressed gratitude for FirstBank’s support. “We are happy to welcome FirstBank on board. This collaboration will boost chess development in Nigeria and promote critical thinking among young minds. With support from partners like FirstBank, we are opening the doors of participation to more children and more schools in this year’s edition.”
Prince Adeyinka Adewole, Vice President of the Nigeria Chess Federation, lauded the initiative, emphasizing its role in nurturing future chess talents. “Chess connects people, ideas, and opportunities. It teaches children to be analytical, patient, and manage their time and resources effectively. Chess also improves concentration and has been particularly beneficial for children with autism.”
The second edition of ChessMasters is scheduled for Saturday, 2 May 2026, at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos. The tournament will feature participation from 150 schools across Lagos, with over 700 students competing for a prize pool of N10 million.
FirstBank’s involvement underscores the potential of ChessMasters to serve as a launchpad for African children, harnessing chess as a powerful tool for education, empowerment, and leadership development.