Nigeria's Team Set for African Youth Scrabble Showdown

Nigeria's Scrabble Team Heads to Kenya for Pan African Youth Championship

The Nigeria Scrabble Federation has announced the selection of Sufyan Olojoku as the captain of Team Nigeria for the upcoming Pan African Youth Scrabble Championship. The event is set to take place in Kenya later this month and will bring together young talents from across the continent.

The Nigerian team consists of 10 players, who will compete against approximately 150 participants from 11 different countries. This competition is a significant platform for emerging Scrabble stars, offering them an opportunity to showcase their skills on a continental stage.

Sufyan Olojoku will be competing in the U-19 category, which is one of the two age groups featured at the championship. The event is scheduled to run from August 14 to 17 at Brighton International School in Syokimau, Machakos County, Kenya. The Nigerian team is expected to depart for the competition on Monday, traveling aboard Asky Airlines from Lagos. Their journey is supported by strong governmental backing from multiple states across Nigeria.

Several states have contributed to the team’s sponsorship. For instance, four players are sponsored by the Kwara State government, while Bayelsa State supports two others. Additionally, Lagos, Edo, Niger, and Akwa Ibom States each sponsor one player. This collaborative effort highlights the growing interest and investment in nurturing young Scrabble talent in Nigeria.

The team includes both male and female players, with the female category featuring Sophia Ekeruche, Joy Eberechukwu Nwabuzor, and Eliana Igbe. On the male side, the squad comprises Saviour Onazi, Hassan Olojoku, Sufyan Olojoku, Abdulqudus Aliu, Khalid Olosun, Prestige Archibong, and Damilola Adeleke.

The African Youth Scrabble Championship, organized by the Pan African Scrabble Association, is a prestigious event that brings together young Scrabble enthusiasts from across Africa. It features two age categories: U-15 and U-19. The inaugural edition of the championship was held in Lagos, Nigeria, in August 2023, hosted by Chrisland School, Lekki. The tournament attracted participants from Nigeria, Kenya, Liberia, Ghana, and Uganda. Notably, Nigeria’s David Ojih and Prestige Archibong won the U-19 and U-15 titles, respectively.

In a statement released by the Nigeria Scrabble Federation, spokesperson Maxwell Kumoye highlighted the reasons behind Sufyan Olojoku’s appointment as captain. His calm demeanor, extensive experience, and ability to work well with teammates were key factors in the decision. Olojoku has been actively involved in Scrabble competitions since 2021, when he secured a silver medal at the National Youth Games. He further strengthened his reputation in 2023 by winning two gold medals and one silver.

On the international stage, Olojoku has represented Nigeria at the World Youth Scrabble Championship in 2024 and at the African Youth Scrabble Championship, where he finished fifth overall. Despite his busy schedule, Olojoku is currently seeking admission into Kwara State University to study Medical Laboratory Science. He completed his secondary education at Government Day Secondary School, Adewole, in 2021.