As the World celebrates World Chess Day 2025, the Nigeria Online Media Alliance (NOMA) has commended EcoBank Nigeria for its outstanding contribution to education and youth development through its sustained investment in chess as a cognitive empowerment tool.
NOMA’s recognition comes in the wake of the highly successful EcoBank National School Team Chess Championship, which paraded over 2,000 students from more than 500 schools across Nigeria.
In her commendation, Chairperson of NOMA, Theresa Moses, in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Association, Mr. Oluwamuyiwa Oyedele said, “EcoBank is setting a powerful example of how the private sector can transform education and empower our youth through smart, skill-based initiatives like chess.
“We urge other stakeholders to recognize the potential of such platforms in building a stronger, smarter generation.”
The championship, held from June 26 to 28, 2025, at the EcoBank Pan African Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, featured teams from primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions, making it one of the most inclusive and impactful educational competitions of the year.
“As a truly pan-African bank, we are proud to again partner with the Chess Federation for this important championship,” said Adebukola Ademuyi, Head of Education Field and Social Services at EcoBank stated. This partnership supports our broader human capital development goals and aligns with our CSR strategy to empower young Nigerians intellectually and economically.”
Mr. Austin Osokpor, Head of Corporate Communications at EcoBank Nigeria, also emphasized the long-term impact of the initiative:
“We are proud to support this event, which plays a vital role in developing young talent in Nigeria. Chess is a silent teacher of strategy, patience, and resilience—all qualities we want to see in the future of this country. This tournament is a legacy project that will leave a lasting impact on education.”
The Nigeria Chess Federation, in collaboration with EcoBank and other stakeholders, created a platform for young players to showcase their talents, build strategic thinking skills, and foster unity across schools nationwide. The tournament also promotes social inclusion and indirectly creates jobs by encouraging the training and employment of chess instructors in schools.
As part of its commitment to education-focused advocacy, NOMA used the occasion of World Chess Day—celebrated every July 20th globally—to call on other corporate organizations to emulate EcoBank’s model of sustainable and purposeful investment in education.
However, NOMA reaffirms its commitment to promoting youth-centered development and celebrating partnerships that drive positive change.
World Chess Day, designated by the United Nations in 2019, marks the founding of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) in 1924 and celebrates chess as a universal language that promotes peace, education, and global unity.
