Team Nigeria Shines In Bangkok As Scrabble Stars Secure Multiple Podium Finishes

Nigeria has once again underlined its dominance in world scrabble after recording impressive podium finishes at the prestigious Causeway Scrabble Challenge in Bangkok, Thailand.

The elite competition, held from May 29 to June 1, attracted more than 440 players from over 30 countries and is widely regarded as one of the biggest and most fiercely contested scrabble tournaments globally.

Despite facing visa-related setbacks that disrupted preparations, Team Nigeria delivered a resilient performance, reinforcing the country’s reputation as a global scrabble powerhouse.

The Nigerian contingent, made up of 31 members comprising 26 athletes and five officials, competed against some of the finest players in the world and emerged with notable successes across divisions.

Leading Nigeria’s charge was Olaribigbe Hakeem, who finished as first runner-up in Division One after a remarkable campaign that saw him secure 24 wins and 12 defeats from 36 games. His outstanding cumulative spread of +1355 points earned him a place on the podium in one of the tournament’s most competitive categories.

In Division Three, Mbonu Olachi produced a commanding display to emerge champion. Olachi recorded an impressive 27 victories and nine losses from 36 matches, finishing with a superb spread of +2141 points to secure the title.

The performances drew praise from the Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, who commended the athletes for their determination and professionalism.

In a statement released on Tuesday through his Special Assistant on Media, Kola Daniel, Olopade described the outing as another affirmation of Nigeria’s leadership in global scrabble.

“This performance once again confirms Nigeria’s status as the world’s leading scrabble nation,” Olopade said.

“Our players have shown tremendous character, resilience and excellence in one of the toughest scrabble competitions anywhere in the world. We are proud of their achievements and remain committed to supporting them as they continue to fly the nation’s flag high on the international stage.”

Nigeria fielded some of its most accomplished players at the Bangkok championship, including reigning African champion Temileyin Doko, current national champion Ezinore George and the country’s highest-rated scrabble player, Jimoh Abdulmumuni.

The team also featured junior players under the pilot Scrabble-to-Schools Initiative, an international exposure programme designed to strengthen grassroots development and nurture future champions.

The Bangkok performance comes on the heels of Nigeria’s historic triumph at the World Scrabble Championships in Accra last year, where the country emerged world champions.

With the African Scrabble Championships scheduled for October and the World Youth Scrabble Championships in Kenya this September, attention is already shifting to the next major challenges.

For Nigerian scrabble, Bangkok was more than another tournament—it was yet another statement of enduring excellence.