Nigeria Chess Federation

Nigeria is set to host The FIDE - International Chess Federation World Chess Players in Abuja - The Capital City of Nigeria!

Will you be there?

Ten (10) players have qualified to represent at the forthcoming FIDE - International Chess Federation World 2026 in !

Open:
FM Akintoye Abdulrahman
FM Kigigha Bomo
Ekunke Goodness
CM Olisa Tennyson
Bartholomew Okhipo

Female:
WFM Quickpen Deborah
Omoruyi Sandra
WIM Bridget Michael
WFM Michelle Nwankwo
Onoja Iyefu

This is Nigeria's youngest team yet!

How far do you reckon they will go at the Olympiad?

Happy to the incredible female players across !

Today, we celebrate your intelligence, resilience, and the powerful moves that you continue to make both on and off the chessboard.

Your passion for the game is inspiring a new generation of girls to believe in their potential and take their place in the world of chess.

Keep playing, keep winning, and keep breaking barriers.

The future of Nigerian chess shines brighter because of you.

FIDE Amateur World Championships 2026: Bids Received and Under Review:

The FIDE Events Commission has received multiple bids for the 2026 World Amateur Championships. By the deadline of January 26, 2026, four bids were submitted for the 2026 World Amateur Championships and one bid for the 2026 World Amateur Rapid & Blitz Championships.

Bids for the World Amateur Championships (new format):

UAE, Fujairah: proposed dates October 15–22, 2026

Spain, Sitges: proposed dates October 29 – November 5, 2026

China, Shenzhen: proposed dates October 15–25, 2026

Nigeria, Abuja: proposed dates September 1–8, 2026

Read more 🔗:

FIDE Amateur World Championships 2026: Bids received and under review – International Chess Federation The FIDE Events Commission has received multiple bids for the 2026 World Amateur Championships. By the deadline of January 26, 2026, four bids were submitted for the 2026 World Amateur Championships and one bid for the 2026 World Amateur Rapid & Blitz Championships.

Good Evening, Esteemed Colleagues.

On behalf of the President and Executive Board Members of the Nigeria Chess Federation (NCF), we are pleased to announce that the second batch of proposed National Arbiters has been formally approved and licensed by FIDE.

List of 15 arbiters licensed by FIDE:

1. Ibrahim Maryam - 8544662
2. Olumhense Augustine - 8540004
3. Onyekwere Macdonald - 8508860
4. Seyi Ogbonlaiye - 8537674
5. Clement Bewaji - 8504784
6. Asingbi Douye - 8503796
7. Sunny Eyenghe - 8503974
8. Ajumobi Samuel Oluwaseyi - 8501769
9. Ubaidullah Alhassan - 8545235
10. Adeyemi Ayodeji Oluwafemi - 8510792
11. Ekpoikong Unwana Eugene - 8502536
12. Omolabake Adebogun - 8545227
13. Daniel Yakub - 8521131
14. Maachimbi Iheanacho - 8550867
15. Akande Abdulazeez Taiwo - 8537950

Congratulations to all the recipients on this important professional milestone. Your dedication and commitment to chess officiating are duly acknowledged.

Warm regards,

🖊️Signed
Media and Publicity (M&P) Committee,
For Nigeria Chess Federation (NCF)

THE OFFICIAL NCF COMMITTEE & MEMBERS FOR 2025-2029

Media and Publicity Committee

1 Babatunde T. Ogunsiku
2 Oyeyemi John Fawole
3 Olubunmi Olape
4 Anthony Ogor
5 Babajide Ogunsanwo

Finance, Branding & Sponsorship

1 Lolomari George
2 Kolade Onabogun
3 Robert Asibor
4 Dr. Eugene Unwana
5 Farouk Yarma

Technical Committee

1 Dr Alli Bode Durotoye
2 Olubunmi Olape
3 Omotayo Hikmot Amisu
4 Adeyemi Olalekan
5 Olawale Oyeleye

Events Committee

1 Dr Donald Onyekwere
2 Toun Engore
3 Samson Ofubu
4 Robert Magomya
5 Vivian Ibrahim

Competitions Committee

1 Mohammed Abdullahi
2 Babatunde T. Ogunsiku
3 Olawale Oyeleye
4 Olalekan Adeyemi
5 Sani Mohammed

Online Chess

1 Omotayo Hikmot
2 Olubunmi Olape
3 Samson Ofubu
4 Femi Balogun
5 Job Atabor

Awards and Archives

1 Mohammed Saleh
2 Dr. Bode Durotoye
3 Dasaolu Rotimi
4 Femi Oluwaseyitan
5 Abdullahi Musa

Membership Committee

1 Eugene Akhiwu
2 Macdonald Onyekwere
3 Rex Ogunnaike
4 Ajibola Olanrewaju
5 Apollos Akomaka

Ethics and Discipline

1 Mohammed Saleh
2 Sani Mohammed
3 Professor Bewaji
4 Professor Raymond
5 Professor Sawyer

Social Committee (Special Projects)

1 Sani Mohammed
2 Toun Engore
3 Mabel Akitoye
4 Ichado Innocent
5 Tunde Onakoya

Women and Youth Development Committee

1 Mabel Akitoye
2 Toun Engore
3 Omotayo Hikmot
4 Olanrewaju Ajibola
5 Cassandra Mendie

Medical Committee

1 Dr Donald Onyekwere
2 Mabel Akitoye
3 Dr. Odum Martin
4 Dr. Francis
5 Dr. Olomola Olusegun

Congratulations to Quickpen Deborah and Nwankwo Michelle on the official conferment of their Woman FIDE Master (WFM) titles by FIDE - International Chess Federation

Earned through outstanding performances at the Africa Youth Chess Championships, this achievement is a testament to their dedication, resilience, and excellence over the board.

Nigeria is proud of you girls, and this is only the beginning of greater milestones ahead.

Nigeria Shines at the Africa Youth Chess Championships!

Nigeria’s young queens have once again proven that the future of chess in Nigeria is very bright, and proudly so. Our representatives delivered outstanding performances, earning podium finishes, international titles, and global opportunities at the Africa Youth Chess Championships organized by !

Of the 6 players that represented the nation, 3 had podium finishes, the 4th did not lose a single game, although the draws cost him a podium finish, and the siblings came after a few rounds, giving a good account for themselves.

Special Mentions

WCM Quickpen Deborah
A remarkable campaign in the U18 Girls category, finishing 2nd overall and earning the prestigious Woman FIDE Master (WFM) title from the tournament. A performance defined by resilience, maturity, and class.

Nwankwo Michelle Chiamaka
Crowned Champion of the U12 Girls category, Michelle dominated her section and emerged not only with the WFM title but also secured personal rights to the 2026 World Youth Chess Championship. A truly golden achievement!

Agusionu Zita
Finishing 3rd in the fiercely contested U10 Girls category, just half a point behind the champion, Zita’s brilliance earned her the Woman Candidate Master (WCM) title, a huge milestone at such a young age.

These achievements are a testament to talent, hard work, strong support systems, and the growing strength of Nigerian chess on the continental stage.

Congratulations to our stars!

Nigeria is proud of you, and the chess world is watching!

Our Young Stars at the Africa Youth Chess Championship!

Team Nigeria kicked off their campaign in style as all four (4) players secured convincing wins in their opening round, a strong start that sets the tone for the battles ahead.

As the tournament progresses, our rising talents will face tougher opponents, but one thing is certain: they are ready, focused, and determined to fight for gold and bring the championship trophy home.

Let’s cheer them on, celebrate their journey, and show unwavering support from back home!

Representing Nigeria at AYCC 2025:

Quickpen Deborah – Under 18 Girls

Nwankwo Michelle – Under 12 Girls

Nwankwo Somtochukwu – Under 10 Boys

Agusionu Zita – Under 10 Girls

Nigeria believes in you.
Nigeria is behind you.
Nigeria is with you.

Bring it home!