Tunde Onakoya, the Nigerian chess master and Guinness World Record holder, attended Paris Fashion Week in October 2026 at the invitation of luxury house Hermès. During the trip, he announced plans for the Lagos International Chess Festival, scheduled for October 2027, with ambitions to make it an annual event combining chess tournaments with art, fashion, and cultural experiences.
From Ikorodu Barbershop to Global Stage
Before his Paris debut, Onakoya first encountered chess at a neighbourhood barbershop in Ikorodu, Lagos, while out of school because his family could not afford the fees. Born in Lagos and raised in Isale Odo, Ikorodu, he learned the game by watching a barber play with friends. That discovery led him into competitive chess, earning him the title of National Master.
In 2018, Onakoya founded Chess in Slums Africa, an organisation that uses chess to create opportunities for children in underserved communities through education and mentorship. In April 2024, he played chess continuously for 60 hours in New York’s Times Square, setting a Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon while raising support for children’s education across Africa.
Chess as a Social and Cultural Movement
Onakoya’s relationship with chess has since evolved into a more social practice. At Good Move, a weekly chess club launched at PANU Lagos in September 2026, Tuesday gatherings bring experienced players and newcomers together to play and connect beyond formal competition.
His signature fila, Nigerian fabrics, and contemporary tailoring have also become part of his public identity, carrying his Lagos roots into international fashion spaces. This style was on display in Paris, where Hermès invited him as part of its presentation.
Lagos International Chess Festival 2027
Onakoya now wants Lagos to welcome the world. The Lagos International Chess Festival is scheduled for October 2027, with plans to make it an annual event that combines chess tournaments with art, fashion, and cultural experiences. For Onakoya, the next chapter is about giving the game that opened doors for him a bigger home of its own.
