Popular Nigerian chess master, education advocate, and humanitarian, Tunde Onakoya, has revealed that he harbors aspirations far beyond his acclaimed work with children in underserved communities. In a compelling interview on the Afropolitan Podcast, the Chess in Slums Africa founder expressed his desire to become a billionaire and wield global influence, explaining that his vision extends beyond charity work into realms of high impact and powerful advocacy.
Known for transforming lives through chess in Lagos’ toughest neighborhoods, Onakoya said he is ready to evolve into a global figure who not only speaks for disadvantaged children but also has the financial and political clout to implement large-scale solutions.
“I want to be a billionaire. And I mean that. I’ve always been afraid to say that,” Onakoya confessed during the podcast. “I just don’t want to be known as the Chess in Slums guy or the charity guy. I want to make a lot of money. And I also want to have a lot of power.”
Onakoya clarified that his ambition for wealth and power is not rooted in materialism, but in the desire to amplify his social impact. For the chess activist, being financially capable means having a greater ability to drive policies, support education, fund infrastructure for vulnerable populations, and challenge entrenched systems of poverty.
“With that power comes new responsibility. And my responsibility and duty will always be to the children,” he added.
Over the past few years, Tunde Onakoya has risen from local recognition to international spotlight. His nonprofit initiative, Chess in Slums Africa, gained global attention for using chess to educate and empower children living in destitution, many of whom have now accessed education and scholarships through the programme.
In April 2024, Onakoya set a world record for the longest chess marathon, playing for 60 hours non-stop in New York’s Times Square. The event raised awareness and funding for his foundation and further cemented his place as one of Nigeria’s most inspiring youth leaders.
However, Onakoya’s latest revelation signals a strategic shift in his personal vision—from grassroots hero to global changemaker, equipped not only with compassion but also economic and political leverage.
His comments have sparked a fresh wave of public discourse on social entrepreneurship, wealth creation, and advocacy. Many Nigerians took to social media to express admiration for Onakoya’s honesty and strategic foresight.
Some critics, however, questioned the compatibility of wealth accumulation with nonprofit advocacy, but supporters argue that Onakoya’s integrity and transparency about his motives distinguish him from typical political or celebrity philanthropists.
“We need more visionaries like Tunde Onakoya—people who understand that money and influence, in the right hands, can do a lot of good,” said media strategist and public affairs analyst, Chinenye Okeke.
With this bold declaration, Tunde Onakoya appears to be charting a new path that combines compassion, competence, and capital. As Nigeria continues to battle issues of poverty, underfunded education, and youth unemployment, his evolving leadership style may serve as a template for a new era of empowered African advocacy—where social change is backed by both passion and economic power.
As he put it himself, “To truly fight for the children, we must enter the rooms where real decisions are made—and sometimes, you need money and power to do that.”