Nigeria delivered podium results in two categories at the Causeway Scrabble Challenge in Bangkok, Thailand, reinforcing its reputation as the standout power in top-level competitive Scrabble.
The event ran from May 29 to June 1 and attracted more than 440 players from over 30 countries, making it widely regarded as the sport’s biggest and most demanding yearly tournament. Nigeria brought a squad of 26 players along with five officials.
In Division One, Olaribigbe Hakeem finished second, compiling 24 victories and 12 defeats over 36 games to record a total spread of +1,355. In Division Three, Mbonu Olachi claimed the championship, winning 27 matches while losing nine, for a cumulative spread of +2,141.
Nigeria’s lineup featured reigning African Champion Temileyin Doko, national champion Ezinore George, and the country’s highest-ranked player, Jimoh Abdulmumuni.
Preparation was complicated by last-minute visa problems, which meant several competitors arrived in Bangkok with minimal—or no—time to settle in before taking to the board.
The team traveled to Thailand as defending World Scrabble Champions after Nigeria’s triumph at the previous year’s World Scrabble Championships in Accra.
Looking ahead, Nigeria’s next objectives are the World Youth Scrabble Championships in Kenya in September and the African Scrabble Championships in October.
National Sports Commission Director General Hon. Bukola Olopade said the outcomes underline Nigeria’s status as the leading Scrabble nation globally, adding that the athletes showed strong character and resilience despite the challenging circumstances.
