Chess doesn’t just sharpen minds — it changes lives. And in early 2023, Nigeria showed once again it’s ready to do both, by hosting the first ever physical FIDE “Chess in Schools: School Instructor” training in the country. For a chess fan like me, it felt like a turning point.
What Went Down
- Lagos State was buzzing from January 3-8, 2023, as teachers, chess trainers, and educators gathered for the hands-on seminar. africachessmedia.com
- The event was organized by the Nigeria Chess Federation (NCF), under the watch of DIG (Rtd.) Sani U. Mohammed, mni, in partnership with FIDE’s Chess in Education Commission. africachessmedia.com
- Those who passed earned a certificate that allows them to teach chess in educational institutions (everything college-level and below, except universities). africachessmedia.com
Why It Matters
- This wasn’t just another training. According to the main trainer, WIM Anzel Laubscher, Africa is the only continent that does this kind of seminar in person. Nigeria is the fourth country in the world to host it physically. That’s big. africachessmedia.com
- The fact it was physical meant people who might struggle with online courses had a chance. Laubscher pointed out that some places in Africa lack high-tech tools (smartboards, etc.), so doing things face-to-face is more inclusive. africachessmedia.com
What Was Achieved
- 26 participants passed the exam with the bare minimum and above to earn the School Instructor (SI) title. africachessmedia.com
- On average, the group scored 70%, with the highest score being 90%. africachessmedia.com
More Than Just a Certificate
- Prince Adewole Adeyinka, Vice President of NCF, spoke passionately about the long-term goal: having FIDE-certified instructors ready is one way to push for chess being adopted into school curricula. Even just having a certified trainer once a week in a school could create a lasting impact. africachessmedia.com
- The idea is that teachers who already know how to guide children get an extra “tool” — chess — in their arsenal. When students learn chess in the classroom, it can teach them strategy, patience, problem-solving, and more. africachessmedia.com
What’s Next
- Nigeria plans more of these instructor trainings, so the number of certified “School Instructors” grows. Every round adds more teachers who can bring chess into more classrooms. africachessmedia.com
- Longer term: adapting curricula so that chess isn’t just extracurricular, but integrated into weekly school programs. africachessmedia.com
My Take
Watching this come together felt special. It’s one thing to play chess, to hold tournaments, to crown champions. It’s another to build infrastructure — education + chess + certification + access. If we really want chess in Nigeria to mean opportunity and growth, these kinds of steps are what make it real.
Here’s to more teachers empowered, more kids exposed early, and a chess culture that is rooted in classrooms, not just in competition halls.
