The Nation Newspaper

Tag: SCRABBLE

  • Scrabble Federation sets bold tone for 2026 as president  calls for unity

    Scrabble Federation sets bold tone for 2026 as president  calls for unity

    The Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF) has kicked off 2026 with a rallying cry for progress, unity and renewed ambition.

    The President of the Federation, Bright Idahosa, has challenged the Scrabble community to build on its resilience and push the game to greater heights.

    In a New Year message, Idahosa hailed players, officials, coaches, sponsors and supporters for standing firm through a demanding year, describing 2025 as a season that “tested our resilience but strengthened our resolve.”

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    With the board’s backing, the NSF boss made it clear that 2026 will be about structure, talent development and international relevance, as Nigerian Scrabble looks to consolidate its status as one of Africa’s strongest forces in the sport.

    Idahosa urged stakeholders to double down on sportsmanship, discipline, collaboration and innovation, stressing that collective effort remains the key to a stronger federation and a more vibrant Scrabble ecosystem nationwide.

    “We move forward with renewed hope, unity and determination,” he said, expressing confidence that the year ahead will deliver shared victories and lasting progress.

    As the tiles reset for a new season, the Nigerian Scrabble is aiming higher in 2026 and the journey starts together.

  • WESPAC: Sponsors  boost  Scrabble Federation ahead of Accra Tourney    

    WESPAC: Sponsors  boost  Scrabble Federation ahead of Accra Tourney    

    The winds of fortune are blowing strong for Nigerian Scrabble with surge of sponsors and corporate allies line up behind the newly inaugurated board of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF).

    With the 2025 World English Scrabble Players Association Championship (WESPAC) in Accra fast approaching, the board’s programs have ignited a wave of confidence, belief and generosity.

    Leading the charge is Loenese International, whose Managing Director, Engineer Gbenga Ojofeitimi, is not just a corporate name but a scrabble enthusiast himself. Ojofeitimi’s passion for the sport is more than words; his company is backing Team Nigeria’s quest for glory in Ghana.

    For more than 20 years, Ojofeitimi’s commitment to Scrabble has been nothing short of remarkable. He has supported local and international championships, contributed to players’ welfare, and helped Nigeria maintain its enviable reputation as a global powerhouse in Scrabble — a sport where the country consistently ranks among the world’s best.

    Those who know him closely say his motivation is simple: he loves to see people grow. Whether it’s young players competing in their first open tournament or seasoned champions defending national honour, Ojofeitimi has been there, quietly cheering and contributing.

    In the intricate world of Scrabble, a game of intellect, patience, and precision, few names resonate with quiet power and consistent purpose like Engineer Gbenga Ojofeitimi.

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    Long before he became a member of the NSF board, Engineer Ojofeitimi was already a familiar name in the federation’s corridors. His presence was often felt quietly, through sponsorship of tournaments, support for emerging talents, and contributions to national team preparations.

    He didn’t just write cheques; he mentored players, encouraged coaches, and championed the values of discipline and excellence. To many in the Scrabble community, he embodies the rare mix of passion and professionalism that Nigerian sports so desperately need.

    Also in the vanguard is Sir Itiakpo Ikpokpo, the dynamic CEO of Dunamis, fondly known in sporting circles as Malik. His track record in sports sponsorship is already legendary, fresh from the success of the maiden Niger Delta Sports Festival in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, he’s now throwing his weight behind the word warriors of Nigeria.

    The momentum doesn’t stop there. Perculiar Nigeria Limited under the dynamic leadership of Engineer Olanrewaju Adeleke, has joined the Scrabble crusade, translating their words into tangible action by supporting Team Nigeria’s World Championship campaign.

    The company that is a leading force in construction in Nigeria was also a major backer of last year’s All Nigeria Amazon Scrabble Championship in Benin City, proving that their commitment runs deep.

    Engineer Olanrewaju Adeleke, has promised to lift the new board and it various programs and he has also promised to bring some of his friends and business associates to identify with scrabble and its activities.

    Another rising ally is Boaz Commodities Ltd, helmed by Collins Okafor, the man behind the celebrated BSP Tournament in Ajegunle, Lagos. Okafor’s firm has already indicated interest in financing NSF events, a move expected to further strengthen the federation’s grassroots and elite programs.

    Amid this corporate enthusiasm, the National Sports Commission (NSC) has been nothing short of exceptional. Under the astute leadership of Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko and Director General Honourable Bukola Olopade, the NSC has been “burning candles at both ends” to ensure Scrabble thrives as a true national sport. Their backing for Team Nigeria’s Accra campaign has been described as “massive and game-changing.”

    Inside camp, the mood is electric. The Chairman of the Lagos State Scrabble and Monopoly Association, Engineer Dipo Akanbi, has emerged as a quiet force of inspiration, providing some funding, moral support, and even springing a delightful surprise visit complete with lunch for players and coaches.

    With such energy, vision, and belief flowing from boardrooms to the players’ tables, the stage is set for Team Nigeria to make another bold statement on the world stage.

    The countdown has begun. The words are ready. The tiles will tell the story in Accra.

  • Olojoku to captain Nigeria at African Youth Scrabble Championship 

    Olojoku to captain Nigeria at African Youth Scrabble Championship 

    The Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF), has named Sufyan Olojoku as captain of Team Nigeria to the Pan African Youth Scrabble Championship, in Kenya.

    The NSF in  a statement signed by its spokesperson, Maxwell Kumoye, stated that Olojoku was selected to lead the team because of his calm disposition, experience as well as his friendliness with other members of Team Nigeria.

    Olojoku, has been representing Kwara since 2021, winning a silver medal in NYG 2021, 2 gold and a Silver in 2023 and has represented Nigeria in a World Youth Scrabble Championship in 2024 and African Scrabble Youth Championship finishing 5th  on the log.

    He is currently seeking admission in KWASU to study Medical Laboratory Science this year after finishing from Government Day Secondary School, Adewole in 2021.

    Read Also: Scrabble Jamz :African champion Doko to light up EEAST

    Olojoku who was at the last World Youth Scrabble Championship in Sri Lanka in 2024, will be competing in the U-19 category at the Pan African Youth Scrabble Championship.

    The ten-man Team Nigeria squad will be leaving for the competition on Monday aboard Asky Airline from Lagos.

    Four of the players are sponsored by the Kwara State government, two other players are heading to Nairobi on the bill of Bayelsa State while Lagos, Edo, Niger and Akwa Ibom state are sponsoring one player each.

    The Africa Youth Scrabble Championship (AYSC) is a continental competition for young scrabble enthusiasts, organized by the Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA).

    The second edition is scheduled to take place in Kenya from August 14th  to 17th  at Brighton International School in Syokimau, Machakos County.

    The championship will feature two categories: Under 15 and Under 19, with 150 players from 11 countries expected to participate.

    The 2023 African Youth Scrabble Championship was held in Lagos, Nigeria, from August 24th to 28th, at Chrisland School, Lekki.

    It featured two categories: Under 15 and Under 19, with participants from Nigeria, Kenya, Liberia, Ghana, and Uganda.

     Two Nigerian players, David Ojih and Prestige Archibong, won the U-19 and U-15 titles respectively.

    Team Nigeria’s roster to the Championship:

    Female: Sophia ⁠Ekeruche; Joy Eberechukwu Nwabuzor and Eliana Igbe.

    Male: Saviour Onazi;Hassan Olojoku ;Sufyan Olojoku ;Abdulqudus Aliu; Khalid Olosun; Prestige Archibong and Damilola Adeleke

  • EEAST’s  ‘Quinta Essentia’ scrabble showpiece to  hold In Lagos

    EEAST’s  ‘Quinta Essentia’ scrabble showpiece to  hold In Lagos

    The wooden edition of the one of the most prestigious scrabble events in the continent, the Emmanuel Egbele Annual Scrabble Tournament (EEAST), tagged ‘Quinta Essentia’ is scheduled to take place at the alluring and captivating Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos State, South-West, Nigeria.

    The premium championship which is a most attend event in the African scrabble circuit is expected to add some glamour, fillips and panache to the growth of the mind sport in Nigeria and the continent.

    This year’s tournament is expected  to raise its high standard with mouth-watering prize moneys as well as  jaw dropping gifts and spots prizes.EEAST will be delivered in a manner that will bewitch the players, officials, sponsors, stakeholders and guests alike when first set of tiles are placed on the board on July 5th for the two-day scrabble feast.

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    The tournament which is one of the competitions used by players to kick start their build up for the 2025 World Championship will offer a unique atmosphere which will add beauty to the competition.

    The initiator of the high-end and famous competition, Emmanuel Egbele, is determined to set a new threshold and elevate its organization beyond the ordinary. 

    “We are excited to announce the commencement of the fifth edition of the Emmanuel Egbele Annual Scrabble Tournament (EEAST). As you know, this edition we has been themed ‘Quinta Essentia’ and it is the fifth edition of the EEAST. It’s been a journey marked with challenges but we are encouraged by the strides we have made in elevating the status of scrabble as a vehicle for social change and development.

  • ‘Take Scrabble to Schools’ campaign hits Rochas Foundation College

    ‘Take Scrabble to Schools’ campaign hits Rochas Foundation College

    The determination to take the sport of scrabble to all nooks and crannies of Nigeria would expectedly continue in a fortnight as the ‘Take Scrabble to Schools’ campaign will land at the Rochas Foundation College in Girei Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

    According to the Chief of Operations & Spelling Bee Co-ordinator for Ibi Centre Yola, Umar Faruq Baba-Inna, the program will hold between December 17th and 18th

    He said that that over 100 students from 15 Junior Secondary Schools and a Senior Secondary Schools are expected to attend the competition.

    “The aim of the Ibi Centre is to encourage the reading culture in an extracurricular competitive exercise. We are hopeful in having a final where the first, second and third positions from the three local government areas will be invited for a spell off and scrabble competition to select the most improved students and school by February,” Baba-Inna said.

    Baba-Inna, a former Technical Director of Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF, said, sixteen schools will be participating in the competition which is been staged in memory of Retired Colonel Abubakar and Hadiza Baba-Inna.

    This is the third Local Government Area in the State that is hosting the Secondary School Spelling Bee and Scrabble competitions.

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    Yola South LGA hosted the first edition between February 10th and 11th while Yola North Local Government took turn by hosting a two-day Spelling Bee and Scrabble competition among secondary schools in its environs between July 11th and 12th.

    Now PANASA ratings officer, Baba-Inna explained that the competition is aimed at creating awareness about the game of words in the North-Eastern Region of Nigeria, as well as picking Team Adamawa for the National Sports Festival tagged Gateway Games 2024 in Ogun State.

    “We are hoping to use it as a springboard to galvanize support and create massive awareness about the game of Scrabble and its benefits to the young ones, including their parents, schools and the Local Government officials,” Baba-Inna added.

    It was equally gathered that Ibi Centre will also be staging a Scrabble Clinic for Qbokun Community Public and Private Primary Schools pupils on the 21st of December at the CBT Centre Ibokun Grammar School, in Obokun LGA, Osun State.

    The project has the complete backing of Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF), the Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA), John Olusegun Foundation, Medical Women Association of Nigeria, Federal Medical Centre Yola and Centre for Women and Adolescent Empowerment.

    According to First Zealmediacast Blog, the Aisha Abba Abdullahi Foundation, Fresh Air Pro-Life Empowerment Foundation, Watermax Bottle Water, Janna Health Care Foundation and Karatu Library Foundation are supporting the highly anticipated project.

    “Four trophies, two for Spelling Bee and two for Scrabble will be won. Scrabble dictionaries, boards and Oxford Advance Learner’s Dictionaries also form part of the prizes on offer. And Alhaji Abdulhamid Joda has graciously donated the dictionaries for us,” Baba-Inna concluded.

  • Scrabble Classic gets int’l recognition

    Scrabble Classic gets int’l recognition

    The Governor Diri National Scrabble Championship has received the nod of both the World English-Language Scrabble Players Association (WESPA) and the PAN African Scrabble Association (PANASA).

    The fourth edition of the tournament holds this weekend  between  August 24 and 25 in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

    It is the first time the championship, which has attracted world, African and national scrabble champions, will be listed in the yearly calendar of the global and continental bodies.

    Chairman of the Bayelsa State Scrabble Association (BYSA), Daniel Alabrah, who disclosed, said the tournament’s organising committee was elated that their effort to promote the game of scrabble beyond the shores of Bayelsa was beginning to attract positive recognition.

    Alabrah explained that by the endorsement, the Bayelsa governor’s championship has been listed in the annual tournaments calendar of both bodies and that participants in the competition will be equally rated by them.

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    Alabrah said: “The WESPA and PANASA endorsement is a huge encouragement for the state and organisers of the Governor Douye National Scrabble Championship. It is an elixir for us to keep promoting the exciting and endearing game of scrabble.

    “We are very elated and express our appreciation to the Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF) for its role in making this possible.”

    He applauded the sponsor of the tournament and governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, for his unrelenting and unrivalled commitment to the development of sports in general.

    He said the sports-loving Bayelsa governor had been the driving force in the development of scrabble in the state just as he had supported other sports as part of his administration’s vision to positively engage youths of the state.

    The BYSA chairman said all was set for hosting of season four of the scrabble championship with the biggest prize money in  the country as well as special prizes for the best female players.

    He said :“We look forward to another weekend of the most exciting mind and intellect-building game.

    “All is set for this edition of the tournament. No fewer than 250 players and officials from across Nigeria will converge on Yenagoa this weekend and Bayelsa is ready to  host,” he added.

  • Jacob wins 4th Janet Adowei Scrabble Classics

    Jacob wins 4th Janet Adowei Scrabble Classics

    Ryan Jacob from Akwa Ibom State earned his stripes at the Janet Adowei Scrabble Classics where he became the fourth winner of the annual championship in Lagos.

    Jacob who had five wins from seven rounds on Day One powered to a massive nine straight wins on the board to finish as the overall winner with 14 wins to confirm his first major victory after he defeated Olufemi Gbadebo from Ogun State in Round 17. He won the cash prize of 500,000 naira.

    Jacob showered appreciation on his state for the support in preparing him for the tournament.

    “I was surprised by this victory! Firstly, I want to thank God for this success and secondly, my training programme is being supported by the Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno.

    “This tournament wasn’t easy but it was just God’s grace and training that took me through. I also appreciate Engr. Adowei for using the anniversary of his mother to bring players together for a good tournament,” he said.

    Read Also: Nwali wins 2023 Lekki Scrabble Classics

    Cyril Umebiye, Wasiu Hassan and Joseph Okere would finish in second, third and fourth position respectively as they also earned 300,000, 200,000 and 130,000 naira in the 74-player tournament.

    Instituted by Engr. Ebikeme Adowei in honour of his mother, the competition has become a fertile avenue for discovering new talents and point-gathering by players.

    The JAMSC which began four years ago, has assumed a national status where players from across the country find fulfillment in participating in.

    Adowei who is the immediate past President of the Lekki Scrabble Club said he was elated and satisfied with the impact the tournament is having in the sport in the country.

  • Nwali wins 2023 Lekki Scrabble Classics

    Nwali wins 2023 Lekki Scrabble Classics

    The tense muscles on Enoch Nwali‘s face began to relax as they stretched into a smile, revealing a sigh of relief for the African champion as he confirmed his first place position at the 2023 Lekki Scrabble Classics after a rigorous 18 rounds of games over two days.

    Playing in the Nigerian circuit by any crowned champion in this game has shown that nothing is guaranteed as every player is capable of creating a devastating upset- the signature of the finicky game in Nigeria.

    For Nwali who is the current African champion, the journey to the top was interestingly arduous despite having a dominating run, starting from the first day when he recorded a draw in round three against former African champion Moses Peter after 11 rounds.

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    His winning streak appeared to have ignited some flames as other top players took turns to challenge him on Table 1.

    Former World Champion and two-time winner on the continent Wellington Jighere, Sunday Oshodi and Timi Doko all tried to remove him by out-pointing him as games were running out but failed.

    His impressive stats showed he played a total of 43 Bingos with an average of 2.4 per game while his opponents played 27 bingos.

    “I really don’t know what made me stand out but I was very calm even when l was losing a few at the closing stages, I wasn’t scared. I just didn’t allow the loss to get to me. What I just did was to focus on the next game, remain calm. Even when I knew I could have won the game against Adigun” Nwali said.

    Jighere came second with 13 wins same as Adigun, James Ewruje, Dayo Tayo and Oshodi following suit but with different cumulative points.

    LSC President Engr. Samuel Anikoh commended all participants as he extolled members for the success of the Classics.

    Over 90 players from Lagos, Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti, Ogun, Rivers, Edo, Delta, Osun and Kwara states featured at the Classics.

  • 2nd Lekki Scrabble Classic kicks off

    2nd Lekki Scrabble Classic kicks off

    All eyes will be on Lagos when one of the top competitions in the Nigerian scrabble circuit moves to the commercial nerve centre for the 2nd edition of the Lekki Scrabble Classic (LSC) holds between tomorrow and October 1.

    The two-day tournament which was strategically set to coincide with Nigeria’s 63rd Independence Anniversary on October 1, is expected to create the necessary ambience to mark the special national day.

    This edition also bears a special tag as it’s coming just a few weeks after top players from 10 countries in Africa converged on the city for the memorable Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA) President’s Cup and the Dr Winifred Awosika Foundation African Youth Scrabble Championship.

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    A star prize of N500,000 as well as surprise gifts have been planned for this 2nd edition.

    100 players from different categories will play one another over a total of 18 rounds of game in the single category two-day event.

    The tournament has been seen as one of the critical championships which has been a platform for the development of the sport in the country.

    It would be recalled that James Eruvje toppled Tega Okiemute in the final round on Table 1 in the 12th round to claim the inaugural title while Gbadebo Olufemi and Khaleel Adedeji were placed second and third in the highly competitive tournament last year.

  • Scrabble: 1st  PANASA President’s Cup begins 

    Scrabble: 1st  PANASA President’s Cup begins 

    As the maiden edition of the first ever PANASA President’s Cup begins today, D’Warrior duo of  Qamar Adebowale and Okagbue Ajuluchukwu will be aiming at creating history at the biggest scrabble tournament on the continent this  year.

    The tournament which has over 140 players in attendance will serve up a high level of competition as top players hunt for points on the board.

    Adebowale, still fresh from his success at the Egbin Scrabble tourney as division B champion held last week, will be setting himself up for a higher plane at the President’s Cup.

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    The Oyo state-born player cum tactician nullified most of his rivals in Ikorodu, Lagos as he climbed to the summit with 10 wins after 12 rounds of the engaging encounters.

    His teammate Ajuluchukwu, who shone brightly at the Mindgames Scrabble Premier League in Benin and propelled his team to the top of Division B table has also set himself a top target at the tournament.

    A total of 9 rounds will be played on Day One.

    Cash prize of $5000 is at stake as 134 players battle for prize and honour at the four-day tournament.