Nigeria, April 10 -- Jamiu Ninilowo, a young chess player from Ikorodu, Lagos, has won the gold medal at the 2025 United Nations Chess Tournament in New York.

Defeating more than 200 USCF-rated players, his win includes a $500 scholarship.

In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), Jamiu expressed gratitude to Tunde Onakoya, the Chess in Slums Africa team, and others who supported his journey. "Yes! I did it! Not just for myself, but for Nigeria and Africa as a whole," he wrote. "All thanks to God, Tunde Onakoya, and Chess in Slums. I will forever be grateful."

Onakoya posted earlier this week, "Today, my heart is overwhelmed with a joy words can barely hold. Mama Jamiu, your boys are doing well. I kept my promise. I always will."

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