Nigerian Chess Master Tunde Onakoya Plays Chess in Agbada at Louvre Museum
Nigerians have widely praised Tunde Onakoya, the founder of Chess in Slums Africa, after he shared a video of himself playing chess at the Louvre Museum in Paris while dressed in traditional cultural attire. Onakoya posted the video on his social media pages on Sunday, describing the moment as a significant personal milestone. He expressed pride in being the first Nigerian to play chess at the Louvre, the world's most prestigious museum, and humorously suggested that his agbada should be displayed there as well.
Social Media Reactions and Cultural Pride
In the video, Onakoya was seen wearing an agbada and engaging in casual chess games at the Louvre Pyramid, a renowned landmark in Paris. Many Nigerians who reacted to the post commended his appearance, confidence, and the way he projected Nigerian culture on an international platform. Social media users flooded the comments with messages of support and admiration.
For instance, OmoOba Olukokun wrote, "Keep elevating dear brother, sky is just the beginning, keep writing your name and of your family in the history book of the world." Ciano19Media added, "To me apart from your talent in playing chess, naturally you are great person I love the way you keep pushing yourself beyond and putting our flag in a midst of greatness. Well great!" Other users, such as BNJMN and EMY P, highlighted his motivational impact and role in putting Nigeria on the map.
Criticism and Questions Raised
However, not all reactions were positive. Some users questioned Onakoya's claim of being the first Nigerian to play chess at the Louvre. Ike.exe commented, "How did you know Nigerians had never sat in that museum to play chess?" Chinenye Ada Igbo Biafra criticized the setup, noting, "But he's doing that alone! Mon dieu? Una too dey lie! Is like someone sitting alone and doing your things! There's no competition! He's just sitting there, and someone is videoing him!" Another user, Mylo, pondered the psychological effects of extensive chess playing.
Background and Recent Achievements
This development follows Onakoya's recent recognition in Barcelona, Spain, where he became the first African to receive the Lideramos Youth Award for Social Impact. He shared this achievement on X earlier in April, expressing deep honor and using the platform to share inspirational stories. Born in Ikorodu, Lagos, Onakoya has risen from humble beginnings to become a national chess master and a global advocate for social change.
Through Chess in Slums Africa, he empowers children from disadvantaged communities by using chess as a tool for education and mentorship. Additionally, Onakoya holds Guinness World Records for the longest chess marathon, achieved in 2024 and 2025, further cementing his status as a prominent figure in both chess and social impact initiatives.
