Tunde Onakoya Shines at United Nations Games: A Voice for Children, Chess, and Change

Nigerian chess master and social impact advocate, Tunde Onakoya, continues to inspire on and off the chessboard as he delivered a heartfelt keynote address at the 2025 United Nations Games opening ceremony in New York. The 30-year-old took to his Instagram page on Thursday to reflect on the powerful experience, calling it a “rare and humbling honor.”

Onakoya, who has become a beacon of hope for underprivileged children through his initiative Chess in Slums, spoke alongside global sports icons like Manny Pacquiao and Giorgio Chiellini, sharing the stage with diplomats and ambassadors from around the world.

“It all felt surreal,” he wrote. “But as I stepped into the conference room, a quiet truth anchored me: I belonged here. Not despite my journey, but because of it.”

🧠 Chess as a Universal Language

In his address, Onakoya highlighted how chess serves as a universal language—one that transcends borders, class, race, and disability. Speaking passionately about the transformative power of the game, he emphasized how initiatives like The Gift of Chess and Chess in Slums Africa are helping children find purpose, hope, and a sense of belonging.

“We are using this game not just to educate and teach strategy, but to help every child believe they belong, and that there’s a place for them in the world.”

🌍 A Moment of Magic and Purpose

In what became a truly unforgettable moment, Onakoya invited the children he traveled with from Atlanta to New York onto the stage. One young girl took the microphone and delivered a touching speech that moved the entire room to a standing ovation—proof that impact, when shared, multiplies.

“The spotlight wasn’t just mine—it was theirs too,” Onakoya wrote. “They ignited it and showed that given the right opportunity, they can shine on the world’s biggest stages.”

💬 Opinion: When Purpose Meets Platform

Tunde Onakoya’s journey from coaching children in the slums of Lagos to speaking on a global stage at the United Nations is a story of purpose, grit, and vision. It’s a reminder that impact doesn’t require privilege—only passion and consistency. His story speaks to the truth that every child matters and every dream is valid, no matter how humble its beginnings.

As the world grapples with inequality, access, and inclusion, voices like Tunde’s are crucial—not just for the inspiration they provide, but for the change they catalyze. In choosing to share his platform with the children he advocates for, he didn't just represent them—he empowered them.

And maybe, that’s what true leadership looks like.

✨ One speech, one board game, and a heart full of purpose—Tunde Onakoya is proof that greatness starts with giving.