In the world’s largest floating community, Makoko, we met a child who had never sat in a classroom. His dreams were confined by poverty and circumstance, limited by the absence of opportunity. Education was a luxury, and the freedom to dream seemed out of reach.

Then chess came into his life. At first, it was just a board of light and dark squares. But as he moved the pieces, something began to shift. Chess became more than a game. It became a tool. He gained access to school, discovered the joy of learning, and began to dream again.

Soon, he was not just a boy from Makoko. He was a champion, winning tournaments, traveling beyond his community, and proving that brilliance exists everywhere.

Breaking Barriers: Independence for Children in Slums

True freedom is not only political; it is also economic, educational, and social. Yet for many children in Nigeria’s slums, independence still feels out of reach.

According to UNICEF, about 10.5 million Nigerian children aged 5–14 are not in school, the highest number globally for out-of-school children (UNICEF, 2023). Poverty, exclusion, and lack of opportunities hold back millions of young talents, preventing them from reaching their full potential.

We believe every child deserves the chance to dream beyond their circumstances. Chess is our tool, but freedom is our mission. When poverty tells a child they have no future, chess teaches them to think ahead. When exclusion says they do not belong, we remind them that their brilliance has a place on every board.

Understanding the Challenges

Children in slums face harsh realities:

• Economic hardship: Limited resources often make education a luxury.

• Social exclusion: Many are overlooked by policies and opportunities.

• Hidden talents: Without guidance, potential remains untapped.

The 2022 Multidimensional Poverty Index (NBS) revealed that 67.5% of Nigerian children (0–17) are multidimensionally poor, facing deprivation across education, health, and housing (NBS, 2022). These numbers are not just statistics, they represent lives waiting to be transformed.

Chess as a Pathway to Freedom

 For us, chess is not just a game, it is a mission. Through chess, children develop:

• Critical thinking: Strategy and foresight in every move.
• Confidence: Resilience through wins and losses.
• Opportunities: Access to tournaments, mentorship, and digital training.

In seven years, we have seen children once excluded now step into classrooms, discover coding, robotics, and digital literacy, and rise as champions. Children like Jamiu, Ferdinand, and Mary, prove that independence is alive in every child who is given the chance to rise.

Celebrating Independence

As Nigeria celebrates 65 years of independence, we are reminded that freedom is incomplete until every child has access to education and opportunity.

This Independence Day, let us celebrate not just where we have come from, but also where we must go. Every child deserves the chance to break barriers, rewrite their story, and chase their dreams.

Take a moment to reflect: How can each of us create opportunities for children who are often overlooked?

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Together, we can create opportunities where none existed and give more children the chance to dream.

Happy Independence Day! Cheers to a future filled with checkmates!