Tunde Onakoya, the Nigerian chess champion renowned for founding Chess in Slums Africa and recently setting a Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon, found himself at the center of public discourse following a visit to President Bola Tinubu. This meeting, intended to share his vision and achievements, quickly drew criticism from some quarters concerned about perceived political affiliations.

During the visit, Onakoya presented President Tinubu with his Guinness World Record certificate and a specially crafted gold-plated Adire chess board. However, this engagement led to a significant backlash online, with numerous netizens accusing Onakoya of aligning himself with an administration that many believe is contributing to widespread hardship in Nigeria.

In a detailed response published on his X account, Onakoya vehemently defended his actions, asserting that the meeting was not a political endorsement. He emphasized his apolitical stance, stating, "A visit is not an endorsement. I will visit many more people." He further clarified his position on political involvement: "I have no interest in partisan politics because of the sensitivity of the work that I do. If that ever changes, then I would resign my role as CEO of Chess in Slums Africa."

Onakoya directly countered claims that Chess in Slums Africa's relevance or existence is dependent on bad governance. "The rhetoric that Chess in Slums only exists or is relevant because of bad governance is not accurate," he wrote. He explained that the organization is not a mere charity but a transformative movement utilizing chess as an educational instrument to enhance cognitive abilities and improve academic results for underprivileged children who have been marginalized by the system. "The real impact of our work is in the synapses. We’re using chess as a tool to teach cognition... This is not charity or ‘NGO’," he stressed.

He elaborated on the profound impact of Chess in Slums Africa, which goes beyond superficial aid. The organization focuses on dignifying the often-overlooked stories of street children, equipping them with critical thinking skills, and facilitating their transition into formal education or vocational training programs. This holistic approach aims to empower them for a better future.

A key aspect of his discussion with President Tinubu was the unveiling of his ambitious vision: "to build the Largest Chess/STEM institute in the world." Onakoya envisions this institute as a sanctuary where children, irrespective of their socio-economic backgrounds, can dream, learn, and develop into valuable global citizens, fostering a new generation of thinkers and innovators.

Onakoya also highlighted the operational resilience and community-centric model of Chess in Slums Africa. For seven years, the organization has thrived without international grants, relying instead on local community support and strategic partnerships, including a collaboration with the Lagos State Government to rehabilitate street children in areas like Jakande and Isale Eko. He affirmed his willingness to collaborate with governmental bodies, noting, "Yes we will partner with the government to scale this impact and institutionalize it so Tunde stops being the hero of the story. It’s your tax, anyway."

Having been honored by the City of New York and achieving a world record by playing chess for over 58 hours in Times Square, Onakoya urged the public to assess him based on his decade-long dedication to service rather than fleeting social media narratives. He asserted, "My fight is different. I’m not on the fence. I took a stand ten years ago for the country I want to see," and assured that in any high-level interaction, "I will put the dreams and needs of the children first."

The visit to the President inevitably sparked a spectrum of public reactions. While some commentators defended Onakoya, arguing that engaging with the nation's highest office for a noble cause does not imply endorsement of political policies, others remained critical, speculating about the motivations behind the meeting. Onakoya acknowledged this diversity of opinion: "The anger, the hate, the love, the applause, the criticism – all of it is valid and I embrace it."

Ultimately, Tunde Onakoya reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to his mission. He concluded his reflections by stating, "The truth is, I will do many more things that may challenge your perception of me, but I know my heart is in the right place... I live for the audience of one, and that is enough." This underscores his dedication to empowering children through Chess in Slums Africa, irrespective of public perceptions or political interpretations.