In a gripping finale that captivated viewers worldwide, Jamiu, the adopted son of celebrated Nigerian chess advocate, Tunde Onakoya, clinched victory against his Russian opponent to win the Chess tournament at the 2025 United Nations Games.
A video shared online by Tunde Onakoya captured the emotional moment Jamiu was declared the winner.
His win, which followed an intense endgame battle, earned him a prestigious medal presented at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
Onakoya, beaming with pride, shared his joy on social media, “Jamiu defeats his Russian opponent in a thrilling Endgame to win the Chess tournament at the 2025 United Nations games.
“We did it 🏆🇳🇬🇺🇳
“From Ikorodu Lagos, to the United Nations HQ in New York, our dreams are truly written in the stars.”
Known globally for founding the Chess in Slums initiative, Onakoya has long used the game as a transformative tool for underprivileged children.
One of his most heartfelt stories centers on his relationship with Jamiu and his younger brother, Ayomide—two boys whose lives changed drastically after a chance encounter in 2018.
Recalling their first meeting, Onakoya shared,“In 2018, I met Jamiu. He was a curious kid, brilliant and full of light. At the time, he was working as a roadside mechanic… I invited him and his brother Ayomide to our weekend chess academy.”
As their bond deepened, Onakoya visited their home in the Majidun slums of Ikorodu, Lagos. There, he met their mother, a resilient woman who had lost her leg in an accident while scavenging for recyclables to support her family.
“That’s my mum, he said,” Onakoya remembered. “She was never taken to the hospital as there was no money to sort the medical bills. Her husband had abandoned her as soon as Jamiu was born, so they never met their father.”
Tragically, in 2019, their mother’s health worsened. Her final plea to Onakoya was both heartfelt and haunting, “She cried and asked me to take care of her boys if anything happened to her.”
Just two weeks later, she passed away.
“That day, I became a father,” Onakoya wrote. “They moved in with me. We got them back in school. Jamiu became a chess champion and is currently completing his university education. I’ve watched him grow into a remarkable young man. His brother Ayomide, a track and field star, is in his final secondary school year.”
Now, seven years later, Jamiu has reached a new pinnacle in his journey. He took the ICN Chess Championship in New York by storm, besting over 200 rated players under the USCF and earning a $500 scholarship in the process.
“Today, my heart is overwhelmed with joy words can barely hold,” Onakoya wrote. “I fought back tears today because I am immensely proud of you. Mama Jamiu, your boys are doing well. I kept my promise. I always will.”
VIDEO:https://x.com/Tunde_OD/status/1910227106983723428?t=CXIjbG4mfDuYNUkqfWes1w&s=08
