By Nehru Odeh
Lola Shoneyin, award-winning writer and poet, has released a children’s book about Tunde Onakoya’s tough but inspiring life and how he waded through the storms to become a chess champion.
Tunde, the founder of Chess in Slums Africa, holds the Guinness World Record for the longest marathon chess game.
The colourful and beautifully illustrated book entitled “Tunde Onakoya The Chess Champion” was launched on 27 May, 2025 at Ouida Books in Opebi, Lagos.
That day was significant enough because it coincided with Children’s Day. And it speaks volumes about the hard work Shoneyin and her team at Ouida had put to make the book and that day a reality.
It was an evening of appreciation not just for a work well done but also for the inspiring life the chess champion had led, which everyone present believed is bound to motivate children. It was also an evening of music, poetry and recollections.
“I also like to thank everybody for being here,” Shoneyin said, expressing her appreciation to all those who made the book possible.
“This is a very special day. But first I want to thank my team that I worked with. They have been outstanding in getting this book out for Tunde on Children’s Day 2025. It was hard but we made it.”
Still, what made that day special is the fact that not only was Tunde the eponymous character at the event, his mum and dad as well as his brother Tobi, who featured prominently in Tunde”s story were also there.
“Tunde, we honour you—not just for the medals, the records, and the international recognition you have garnered—but because you remind us that true champions uplift others along the way,” Mazeedah Olutosin, editor of the book said in her welcome address.
“To the children here with us—this book is for you. It is filled with pictures and words, yes—but it is also filled with dreams. And we hope that when you read it, you will laugh, think, and maybe even start to imagine what kind of champion you want to become,” Mazeedah noted.
The book, a grass-to-grace story, with all its rough edges, thorns and shocks yet inspiring was illustrated by KR Onimole, who worked assiduously with Shoneyin to make sure the illustrations tell a beautiful story.
As Wana Udobang, poet, spoken word artist and host of the event pointed out, what makes Tunde Onakoya The Chess Champion special is that it is a children’s book and at the same time a biography.
It tells the story of how a young boy born in Ketu but grew up in Ikorodu, rose from the slums, turned his misfortune into fortune and became a global chess champion. It also tells of the sacrifices his parents, especially his mum who became a cleaner in a school, put to make sure he achieved his dreams.
The book also tells the story of how Tunde’s road to greatness began accidentally at a barber’s shop when one afternoon, while hawking fruits, he passed the barber’s shop and saw a board with black and white squares and carved pieces. Bros B, the barber, who first dismissed his enquiries with a wave of the hand, eventually gave in to young Tunde’s persistent curiosity. That indeed turned out to be the start of a life-changing journey.
Despite facing health and financial challenges, Tunde didn’t just learn the game — he mastered it. In 2021, he founded Chess in Slums Africa, which has now helped thousands of children in underserved communities across Nigeria find purpose and hope through chess.
The book, 60 pages long, is filled with vibrant illustrations that bring Tunde’s journey to life. It is aimed at inspiring children to dream big no matter where they come from. One of Tunde’s well-known quotes sums it all: “It’s possible to do great things from a small place.”
The book begins magically with a Rushdiean tinge thus. “Just before midnight on 6 October 1994, in a hospital in Ketu, Lagos State, a son was born to Mr Gbenga and Mrs Taiwo Onakoya. They were overjoyed to hold their first baby in their arms . They named him Babatunde Daniel Onakoya. As he grew bigger and leant to smile at strangers, everyone called him ‘Tunde’.
Still, turning Tunde’s story into a book wasn’t a ride in the park. When Shoneyin first broached the idea with Tunde, he brushed it aside. “When Auntie Lola called me and she was like she had this vision to bring my story into a story book for children, I first refused because I thought the story wasn’t complete yet.
“For one to be a living legend you have to do one final thing that brings everything to end. The story never ends. This story is still being written. But I am glad that some part of it has been, in some sense, made into this book,,” Tunde enthused.
Yet, Tunde is over the moon. “Who would have thought that chess, such a boring board game, would be a powerful tool in the hands of this little kid from Ikorodu to inspire the world.
“I can’t wait for the book to be in the hands of children, dreamers like me so they know that whatever magic they have, whatever talent, there is a place for them in the world. And if they do that, if they pursue it very passionately, the world will believe in the power of their dreams,” Tunde maintained.
Asked why she decided to turn Tunde’s story into a book, Shoneyin said working on the book was not only a learning curve for her but also an act of resistance. She also hinged it on Tunde’s incredible story, which she believes will inspire children to achieve greatness.
“I don’t understand why children should be more exposed to the antics and shenanigans of Hushpuppi when they have Tunde’s inspiring story,” Shoneyin said.
“I don’t understand why we constantly complain about the value system, the morals of our children whilst we are failing their hands and also what they have access to on the internet are just stories of people that, when we think about them, perhaps we needn’t even like our children to meet or emulate such people.
“So for me this is an act of resistance. That’s how I saw it. I really wanted Tunde’s story to be front and centre because it was inspiring and because I have met him also and have grown very fond of him. I just thought he was such an outstanding human being, a kind of human being that not just adults have access to but that an early child can easily read his stories.
Mrs. Bunmi Talabi-Aboderin, who reviewed the book at the event, highlighted how it shows the importance of parenting, community influence, and individual determination.
She praised the resilience of Tunde’s mother, who used to carry him on her back while hawking wares, and pointed out that children are always watching the adults around them.
She also praised the book’s storytelling, especially a small but meaningful detail — a chicken drawn in the illustrations, which added humor and realism to the story. “Don’t despise the days of small beginnings,” she reminded guests.
The book launch was officially done by the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by Ms Oreoluwa Finnih-Awokoya, his Special Adviser on Sustainable Development Goals.
She mentioned that the governor, who is also a chess player, had met Tunde several times and greatly supports youth development.
She said the book represents the Lagos spirit — full of resilience, courage, and hope — and promised that the Lagos State Government will continue to support authors, storytellers, and the reading culture.
“I made a pledge today and I know I have the governor’s backing. Whatever is required to support people writing and reading, we are right there behind and beside you,” she said.
The event featured musical performance by the Recurrence and special performance by Tunde. The event ended with the promise of more editions to come as Tunde’s journey continues to unfold.
