The Tunde Onakoya One (Part 1): From Poverty in Ikorodu to Chess in Slums Africa | One2One (S2 Ep4)

According to UNICEF, Nigeria has the highest number of out-of-school children in the world — 18.3 million as of May 2024. That’s 1 in 5 (20%) of the world’s out-of-school children, with the greatest impact felt in rural and underserved communities.

In Part 1 of this exclusive 3-part One2One interview, Tunde Onakoya — Nigerian chess master, Guinness World Record holder, and founder of Chess in Slums Africa — reveals how his organisation is giving thousands of children the chance to dream — and win — against the odds.

Speaking with Tokunbo Shitta-Bey, Tunde shares his lived experience of poverty, the inspiration behind Chess in Slums Africa, and how chess is transforming education and creating opportunities for children in some of Africa’s poorest communities.

📌 In one of his most in-depth conversations to date, Tunde discusses:
His experience of growing up in Ikorodu, Lagos
The vision behind Chess in Slums Africa
Stories of transformation from underserved communities
Why intellectual empowerment is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty

From the streets of Ikorodu to the global stage, Tunde Onakoya’s journey is a powerful testament to resilience — and a reminder that potential is more powerful than poverty.

#TundeOnakoya #ChessInSlumsAfrica #One2OneShow

Chapters:
00:00 – Opening & Introduction
00:18 – Meet Tunde Onakoya – Nigerian Chess Champion & Changemaker
00:49 – Why This Conversation Is Bigger Than Chess
02:03 – The Out-of-School Crisis No One Should Ignore
02:38 – Who Is Tunde Onakoya… and Why Times Square?
03:15 – From Dreamer to Doer – Fighting Inequality With Chess
04:08 – Humble Beginnings in Lagos – Sacrifice and Resilience
04:47 – The Barbershop That Changed My Life
05:08 – How Chess Rewired My Destiny
05:41 – Founding Chess in Slums Africa – The Vision Unpacked
06:34 – Why Times Square Was the Perfect Global Stage
07:14 – Untapped Genius in Underprivileged Communities
08:41 – Nigeria’s Greatest Wealth Isn’t Oil – It’s People
10:32 – Lessons From China & Nvidia – Investing in Skills Pays
12:39 – Why Potential Means Nothing Without Action
14:01 – Raising a Generation of Thinkers – The Real Endgame
15:16 – How Chess in Slums Was Born
17:22 – The Hidden Power of Chess – Identity & Critical Thinking
19:16 – Changing the Global Perception of the Nigerian Child
20:19 – From Idea to Impact – Hubs, Mentors & Scholarships
22:36 – Scaling to 20+ African Countries
23:15 – Why Conventional Education Is Failing Our Kids
24:16 – Convincing Communities – The Toughest Battle
25:19 – Winning Trust Through Local Leaders
26:34 – The Magic of Chess – Curiosity Meets Self-Discovery
27:25 – Incentives That Open Doors – Food, Scholarships & Hope
27:48 – Breaking Records for a Cause – The 60-Hour Marathon

About the Guest:
Tunde Onakoya is the founder of Chess in Slums Africa, a non-profit organisation using chess, literacy, and mentorship to empower underprivileged children. His work has impacted thousands and earned global recognition from CNN, BBC, Al Jazeera, and Forbes.

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About One2One:
One2One ("The One2One Show") is a Nigerian television interview and talk show hosted by Tokunbo Shitta-Bey and broadcast internationally as an audio and video podcast.

Tokunbo Shitta-Bey engages thinkers, politicians, athletes, entertainers, scientists and business leaders in "Game-changing discussions on the BIG IDEAS that shape our thinking and help move society forward". One2One's comfortable, calm setting and conversational style format provide an engaging and intimate atmosphere for thought-provoking and intellectual dialogue, offering a unique perspective on current events and shaping the public understanding of important issues.

Watch the full episode on TV:
• DSTV: Mondays at 8:30 PM (Repeat: Saturdays at 3:30 PM)
• Channels 24 (UK): Sundays at 1:30 PM (Repeat: Wednesdays at 6:30 PM)