Platform Schools, Ipaja, has emerged as the overall winner of the 2026 Ecobank National Schools Team Chess Championship, claiming the secondary school title and a grand prize of ₦2.5 million.
Newsonspot reports that the Lagos-based school secured 16 points to finish ahead of the competition in the nationwide tournament, which featured more than 1,500 students from 300 schools across Nigeria.
Dayspring School finished in second place and received ₦2 million, while King’s College Lagos claimed third position with a prize of ₦1.5 million.
In the primary school category, Chess in Slums Africa, representing the Makoko community, delivered an impressive performance to emerge champions. Their victory drew widespread commendation for nurturing exceptional chess talent within an underserved community.
Speaking on the triumph, Amir Obe, a member of the winning Platform Schools team, attributed the success to months of intensive preparation, daily practice sessions, and strategic training.
The championship, sponsored by Ecobank, continues to promote STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education through chess, helping students develop critical thinking, patience, and problem-solving skills.
Founder of Platform Schools, Bola Obe, emphasized that chess remains a key part of the school’s curriculum, designed to equip students with the intellectual skills needed to compete globally.
Meanwhile, Vice-President of the Nigeria Chess Federation, Adeyinka Adewole, disclosed that Nigeria is making significant progress toward producing its first Grandmaster. According to him, the country’s highest player rating has risen from 2,290 to 2,359 within the last year, bringing Nigeria closer to the 2,500 rating benchmark required for Grandmaster status.
The championship not only celebrated academic and sporting excellence but also highlighted the growing influence of chess in shaping the next generation of Nigerian leaders and innovators.
