The Chess Innovation Hub, a new center dedicated to the intellectual and social development of underprivileged children through chess education, has officially opened in Lagos. The project is an initiative of Chess in Slums Africa (CISA), a nonprofit organization focused on transforming the lives of children in marginalized communities through chess training and life skills. The launch was made possible through a partnership with Help Alliance, the aid organization of the Lufthansa Group.
At the launch event, Tunde Onakoya, founder of CISA and a Guinness World Record holder, shared the organization’s inspiring journey, highlighting its reach to over 10,000 children, providing more than 200 scholarships and vocational opportunities. Onakoya emphasized that the Chess Innovation Hub will serve as a platform to advance CISA’s mission of empowering 100,000 children by 2030 through innovative education and leadership development.
“The Chess Innovation Hub will serve as a space for kids from the slums and streets to learn new skills and unlock their potential. Chess is just the beginning—it’s a pathway, not the final destination,” said Onakoya. “Our aim is to equip children with essential skills like robotics, coding, and mathematics, helping them envision a bright future and recognize their potential.”
The event was attended by several senior representatives from the Lufthansa Group, including René Koinzack, Senior Director Sales for Southern & East Africa, Nigeria & Equatorial Guinea, Zied Gueblaoui, former General Manager, Sales Nigeria & Help Alliance Project Coordinator, Tolulope Aminu, Marketing Manager & Help Alliance Project Coordinator, Nigeria, and John Opara, the new General Manager for Lufthansa Nigeria and Niger.
Speaking at the event, Koinzack expressed Lufthansa’s pride in supporting CISA’s mission through Help Alliance, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.
“We are very proud to support the Chess in Slum Africa initiative via Help Alliance. The launch of the Chess Innovation Hub represents a significant step toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in Nigeria. The CISA team has created a remarkable space for education, and I am very thankful to Tunde and his team for their vision and commitment,” said Koinzack.
Zied Gueblaoui added, “Seeing the Chess Innovation Hub become a reality is a proud moment. It’s incredible to think back to three years ago when this was just an idea, fueled by Tunde Onakoya’s passion. Today, this facility will play a crucial role in uplifting children from the streets and slums of Lagos.”
Tolulope Aminu also commented on the partnership, saying, “Partnering with CISA was an easy choice. We recognized their deep passion for their mission, which aligns closely with our goals at Help Alliance. Most importantly, CISA treats the communities they support with dignity, focusing on their potential rather than their struggles.”
Help Alliance, founded in 1999 by 13 Lufthansa employees, is the central pillar of social commitment for the entire Lufthansa Group. The organization focuses on promoting access to education, employment, and income, with over 60 projects across 29 countries, impacting children, young people, and young adults.
