Tunde Onakoya, a Nigerian Chess player and founder of Chess in Slums Africa, has presented his world record for the longest “Chess Marathon” to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Global beer brewer, Guinness, honoured Onakoya for playing the game for 64 hours non-stop in New York.

He did this with American chess player Shawn Martinez in New York City’s Times Square from April 17 to April 20, 2025.

Tinubu said he was impressed by Onakoya’s achievement and the work he is doing.

The President said on his X (formerly Twitter), “I had a great time meeting with Tunde Onakoya, @Tunde_OD. He shared with me the inspiring journey he’s been on for the past ten years, using chess as a powerful tool to transform the lives of children in slum communities.

“Through his work, he’s helped many of them out of the slums and into local and international schools, using the game not just to teach, but to build critical thinking and open doors.”

Onakoya on his own X (formerly Twitter account) wrote that, “ One special edition gold-plated Adire chess set, gifted to His Excellency, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, @officialABAT.

Onakoya is also the founder of “ Chess in Slums Africa” and co-founder of “Great Minds Chess Academy.”