Seven Nigerian chess players will represent the country at the 2026 African Individual Chess Championships scheduled for June 18 to 27 in Botswana.
Team Nigeria will compete against some of Africa’s strongest chess talents at the prestigious tournament, which will take place at the Debswana Jwaneng Mine in Jwaneng, Botswana.
The Nigerian contingent features five players in the men’s category and two players in the women’s section as they battle for continental honours and qualification spots for the FIDE Chess World Cup.
According to the Scribe of the Nigeria Chess Federation (NCF), Mrs. Ejiro Thukson, the men’s team includes Abdulrahmam Abdulraheem Akintoye, Odion Aikhoje, Adeyinka Adewole, Paul Eloka and Tennyson Ewomazino Olisa.
The women’s team will be represented by Ofowino Toritsemuwa and Bridget Michael.
Adeyinka Adewole, who also serves as the Vice President of the Nigeria Chess Federation, is expected to lead the Nigerian delegation to Botswana while competing in the championship.
The African Individual Chess Championships remain the continent’s premier individual chess competition and regularly attract elite players, including Grandmasters, International Masters and emerging talents from across Africa.
The tournament also serves as a qualification pathway for the prestigious FIDE Chess World Cup, making this year’s edition highly competitive for all participating countries.
Organisers confirmed that 25 African countries will participate in the championship, which Botswana will host for the first time.
The competition will also coincide with the 50th anniversary celebration of the African Chess Confederation (ACC).
Botswana Chess Federation president Kutlwano Tatolo described the event as Africa’s most prestigious individual chess tournament and praised the increasing growth of chess across the continent.
Nigeria’s representatives will aim to strengthen the country’s growing reputation in African chess while challenging for medals against some of the continent’s finest players.
Beyond the competition, the championship will celebrate five decades of chess development in Africa while promoting unity, excellence and sportsmanship among participating nations.
With qualification tickets for the FIDE Chess World Cup available, Team Nigeria will hope to deliver strong performances when the championship begins later this month in Jwaneng.
Team Nigeria Squad
Men
Abdulrahmam Abdulraheem Akintoye
Odion Aikhoje
Adeyinka Adewole
Paul Eloka
Tennyson Ewomazino Olisa
Women
Ofowino Toritsemuwa
Bridget Michael
