The Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF) has unveiled plans to reward the nation’s standout young word masters with academic scholarships and structured developmental support following their runner-up finish at the 2026 World Youth Scrabble Championship.
The announcement was made on Saturday, August 29, 2026, during an exclusive briefing in Lagos by NSF President, Engineer Bright Idahosa.
The 2026 global youth championship took place from August 7 to 9 at the Trademark Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya, drawing over 134 young competitors across 40 countries. Team Nigeria put on a dominant 24-round performance, securing second place overall behind only the host nation, along with multiple individual honors.
Among the standout performers set to benefit from the new support initiative are Under-8 Champion and “Best Kid of the Tournament” winner Yusuf Abdulsalam of Kwara State, as well as Bayelsa-backed prodigy Eliana Tamaramie.
Other recognized key players included Sophia Ebube Ekeruche, who successfully defended her title as the World Best Female Player, and the Onazi siblings, Salvation and Saviour, who placed in the Under-10 and Under-12 categories respectively.
Speaking on the federation’s long-term strategy, NSF President Engr. Bright Idahosa expressed immense satisfaction with the contingent’s achievements.
”We are very, very satisfied with the performance of our young stars in Nairobi. The results prove that the future of Scrabble in Nigeria remains bright, but our goal goes beyond celebrating short-term success,” Idahosa stated.
“We are establishing a sustainable development pathway. These scholarships and structured support packages will ensure that our top young talents do not have to choose between their education and their Scrabble careers.”
NSF National Youth Coach, Hassan Olojoku Abdulrafiu, detailed the technical side of the developmental scheme, confirming that identified players will participate in mandatory bi-weekly online training modules, specialized boot camps, and structured daily study regimens.
”We are asking our young players to commit to at least two hours of daily word study and board strategy,” Coach Olojoku explained. “To remain world-beaters, consistency is essential.”
NSF Spokesman Maxwell Kumoye also extended formal appreciation to the state governments of Kwara, Bayelsa, and Niger, whose timely financial interventions made the team’s travel and participation possible.
The federation called on corporate sponsors, state sports councils, and parents nationwide to embrace Scrabble as an intellectual sport that boosts linguistic and mathematical competence among young Nigerians.
