Jimoh retains Division A title at Lekki Scrabble Classics
By Vivian Ahanmisi
Lagos, Sept. 27, 2026, Abdulmumin Jimoh on Sunday retained his Division A title at the 2026 Lekki Scrabble Club Classics, winning the trophy and 1,000 dollars top prize.
Jimoh dominated the two-day tournament to emerge champion for the second consecutive year.
The competition was held at the Peninsula Hotel, Lekki, Lagos, with more than 200 players participating.
Speaking after his victory, Jimoh said he was delighted to retain the title in spite of him facing several top players.
He said his next target was the African Scrabble Championship scheduled to be held in Monrovia, Liberia, in October.
“I played each game as it came. I didn’t give myself the pressure.
“I have to start preparation and make sure I tighten all the loose ends from this tournament,” he said.
Jimoh dedicated his victory to his late elder brother, who introduced him to Scrabble.
“This win means a lot to me,” he said.
He described the Lekki tournament as a major competition with growing participation, including students.
In Division B, Frank Ishiekwene emerged champion after a series of competitive games against other players in the category.
Abdulsalam Toyyibaht won the Under-12 category, expressing happiness over her victory.
She thanked God, her parents, coaches, friends and other supporters for their contributions to her success.
“I am proud to be part of the Lekki Scrabble Classics, especially as the U-12 category gives young players like me the chance to showcase our talents,” she said.
Gbadebo Adam, a young scrabble player, said his father inspired him to take the game seriously.
Adam, who participated in the inaugural children’s category, said he was happy to be part of the competition.
He said his strong performance at a previous competition encouraged him to continue playing and aspire to greater achievements.
“My daddy is my role model. I want to make my parents proud and achieve more in Scrabble,” he said.
Speaking with NAN, Samuel Anikoh, President of Lekki Scrabble Club, described the 2026 edition as a major milestone in the tournament’s growth.
“This is the fifth edition, and for us, it’s important to keep giving back because Scrabble is not just a game,” he said.
Anikoh said the tournament was also good preparation for the African Scrabble Championship, adding that it had attracted more than 200 players.
He said the competition was gaining international recognition, with participants from Ghana, Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe.
The club president called for increased corporate support to develop scrabble, particularly in schools, noting that a children’s section was introduced at this year’s tournament.
“This year, we have over 200 players. That’s a huge number compared to what we used to do before,” he said.
Adeola Aguba, a member of the club, described her third participation in the tournament as a phenomenal experience.
She said the introduction of the Children’s Division made the 2026 edition particularly impressive.
Aguba said the tournament had attracted more international players, including about five participants from Ghana.
She expressed hope that the competition would continue to expand and accommodate more players.
Aguba said the club was contributing to scrabble development by helping players improve their vocabulary and learn unfamiliar words.
Also speaking, Bayenang Fatawu, a Ghanaian player, described his first experience at the Lekki Scrabble Classics as highly competitive.
“I have been hearing about the competitiveness, and coming here has confirmed it,” he said.
Fatawu said he had expected to finish among the top 15 players but placed outside that position after 17 rounds.
He praised the tournament’s organisation, saying it met his expectations.
On the upcoming African Scrabble Championship in Liberia, Fatawu said the tournament would help him improve his performance.
“What I have experienced here will inform my tactics and learning regime. I have to go and learn harder,” he said.
Bright Idahosa, President of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation, described the Lekki Scrabble Classics as a tournament of international standard.
Idahosa said he was impressed by the high standard of play and commended the organisers for the event’s organisation.
He said the tournament attracted top Nigerian players and competitors from Ghana, the UK and the U.S.
The federation president said Nigeria had won 14 of the last 15 African Scrabble Championships.
On grassroots development, Idahosa said the federation was working on its Scrabble-to-School initiative to take the game to more schools.
“Scrabble does a lot for schools, especially in numeracy and cognitive development,” he said.
Meanwhile, Adekoyejo Adegbesan, President of the Pan-African Scrabble Association, described the tournament as a major competition with an improving standard.
“The level keeps getting better. It is one of the tournaments that tops most tournaments in Nigeria,” he said.
Adegbesan said the competition would help Nigerian players prepare for the African Scrabble Championship in Monrovia in October.
He commended the inclusion of young players, saying it provided an opportunity for them to compete alongside experienced players.
The association president said Nigeria would face competition from Uganda and Kenya at the continental championship.
Also, Ayodele Thomas, a member of Lekki Scrabble Club, described the tournament as a fun and competitive event.
“The players are so good, but we’re here to have fun. It’s a nice atmosphere and everybody’s happy,” he said.
Thomas said playing scrabble helped him relax while improving his vocabulary, spelling and concentration.
He added that the tournament was good preparation for the African championship.
The two-day tournament featured players competing in different categories, with champions receiving trophies and prize money at the closing.