Just months ago, Tunde Onakoya was Nigeria’s golden boy, the slum-born chess champion who inspired a nation, broke records in New York, and became the face of hope for thousands of children from underserved communities. But that image took a major hit this week after he presented a gold-plated chessboard to President Bola Tinubu, just two days after the Salah holidays and in the thick of national outrage over the mass killing of over 200 people in Benue State.
What was once admiration has now turned to disappointment. Social media didn’t waste time, Nigerians felt betrayed. One X user @akoweLanre wrote: “Tunde is a good man. He is apparently not a principled man. Two truths can coexist.” Some users even tried to bring in tribal sentiments, @Waspapping_ said: ”Let’s be honest, the only reason Tunde Onakoya is getting this much hate is because he’s Yoruba. If he were Igbo, the same people attacking him would be defending and justifying his meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.” The mood online has been largely one of grief and anger, not just at the government, but at a young man many once saw as untouched by the country’s dirty political hands. The visit was seen as poorly timed and opportunistic, used by Tinubu’s team to polish his image during a dark week of national mourning. A visit to the Villa turned into a PR disaster.
Onakoya, the once-humble chess hero, defended himself on X saying “A visit is not an endorsement,” adding that he remains apolitical and will “visit many more people” while selling his custom chessboards. He also clarified that his chess work is not charity, it’s about using chess to build critical thinking, not blaming government failures. But the damage was done. For many Nigerians, it wasn’t about the chessboard, it was the symbolism. While Benue burned, while mothers cried over mass graves, the face of slum brilliance was smiling and shaking hands with the very government many feel has done nothing but watch.
Now, the internet calls him “Chess Boy,” not as praise, but in mockery. The online backlash, however, hasn’t died down. Comedian Mr. Macaroni who spoke up in Onakoya’s defence said everyone has their own way of contributing to a better Nigeria. But many still see “Chess Boy” as having strayed from his mission, now a political sidekick rather than a game changer. His defenders say he’s staying true to his work, while critics claim he’s abandoned the slum for shallow political optics. As for Onakoya, his last words on this were: “To close this chapter, I’ll say this. I realize some good people feel very strongly about this important work (The rabid ones veiling hatred as criticism do not count). I hear all of you and I’m trying my best Let’s halt the fight on all sides. I am my own man. Love always… I will remain true to the values that brought the mission to our collective ownership. As always, this is Day 1.”
Follow us on all social media platforms @dailyquery for news and analyses around the globe.
