From Slum Chessboards to Billionaire Ambitions, Tunde Onakoya Charts a New Path with Purpose and Power [VIDEO]

 

Tunde Onakoya, the celebrated Nigerian chess champion and founder of Chess in Slums Africa, is no stranger to capturing attention through unexpected moves. Known for turning street corners into training grounds and giving underprivileged children a new chance through strategy and intellect, Onakoya has now revealed a far more personal aspiration. He wants to become a billionaire.

This revelation came during a recent interview where the chess maestro laid his cards on the table and spoke candidly about his long-term goals. He wasn’t talking about grandmasters or tournaments, but about influence, wealth and an enduring legacy that transcends his current image.

“I want to be a billionaire. And I mean that,” he declared with conviction. “I’ve always been afraid to say that. I just don’t want to be known as just the chess in slums guy. The charity guy. I want to make a lot of money. And I also want to have a lot of power. And with that power comes new responsibility. And my responsibility and duty will always be to the children.”

The statement is already sparking widespread reactions across social media platforms. For many, it’s a bold shift from the image of a soft-spoken mentor seen hunched over boards with wide-eyed children in bustling Lagos neighborhoods. For others, it's simply the next logical move in a game he’s been winning all along.

Onakoya’s influence has grown beyond the slums where his journey began. From being a grassroots champion to achieving global recognition, including his recent Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon, he has never shied away from using his platform to inspire and uplift.

His latest declaration suggests a more expansive mission. Rather than a departure from his roots, it signals an evolution, from humanitarian to visionary entrepreneur. It also raises questions about how one maintains authenticity while scaling new heights of financial and political clout.

On social media, fans and critics alike are weighing in.

@BlackUriel01 posted with admiration, “He would use chess move to become what he wants to be.” It’s a fitting analogy for someone who has always been several moves ahead of the status quo.

Not everyone took it so lightly. @bozzmanofficial tweeted, “Things are now making sense. What a politician!” with a mix of jest and skepticism, hinting at how such ambitions can be misread in a nation where wealth and politics are often entangled.

There were also messages of cultural pride and spiritual support. @omo_ola_eluku wrote, “You deserve it bruv, May eledumare be with you,” referencing divine blessings in Yoruba spirituality.

Some reactions also brought humor tinged with cultural commentary. @ObasedwardD1st said, “B like them don give thing guy powder deal since him don go visit the powder lord. This guy na typical Yoruba guy,” a reference to traditional rituals and street-wise ambition, common in Nigerian urban lore.

Despite the mixed responses, one thing is clear. Onakoya’s words struck a chord. His willingness to say out loud what many may consider taboo, especially in nonprofit circles, reflects a broader cultural shift. It challenges the narrative that social work must exist in isolation from financial ambition.

By framing wealth and power as tools for deeper service, he redefines the contours of charity and leadership. His dream of becoming a billionaire isn’t about excess or detachment; it’s rooted in the belief that greater resources could amplify the work he already does.

Observers of Onakoya’s journey may recall that each major step he has taken, whether starting a nonprofit, hosting chess tournaments in underserved communities or setting global records, began with a public declaration. This time is no different.

There’s a clear strategy in play, much like the game he loves. Each pawn advanced, each knight sacrificed, each queen protected, all calculated toward an eventual checkmate. Except this time, the opponent isn’t another player; it’s a system that has long told children born into poverty that their dreams have a ceiling.

If Onakoya’s moves so far are any indication, that ceiling may soon be shattered. His desire to attain wealth and power, channeled through a commitment to serve children, may just be his boldest and most impactful move yet.

And in this new game, the stakes are higher, the board is larger, and Tunde Onakoya is playing to win. Not just for himself, but for generations yet to come.

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