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Nigeria’s leading scrabble players and some of West Africa’s finest wordsmiths will converge on Yenagoa next weekend for the sixth edition of the Governor Douye Diri National Scrabble Classic, with a record prize pool of nearly ₦20 million on offer.
The championship, one of the flagship events on the Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF) calendar, is sanctioned by the World English Scrabble Players Association (WESPA) and the Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA). It holds on August 1 and 2, 2026.
Opening rounds will take place at Matho Crystal Hotel on Imiringi Road, before the finals and closing ceremony move to the DSP Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall at the Bayelsa State Government House.
Governor Douye Diri, the tournament’s chief host and Special Guest of Honour, is expected at the closing ceremony alongside members of the Bayelsa State Executive Council.
Chairman of the Bayelsa State Scrabble Association (BYSA), Daniel Alabrah, said the governor approved a substantial increase in the tournament’s prize fund following the success of the 2025 edition, pushing total rewards across five categories to almost ₦20 million.
The Masters category stands to gain the most from the increase, with this year’s champion set to receive ₦2 million — double what last year’s winner took home.
Alabrah said the governor’s continued backing has raised the profile of scrabble in Bayelsa, drawn more young people into the game, and strengthened the state’s standing as a host for major sporting events. He further commended Diri for extending his sporting investment beyond football, wrestling, swimming and boxing to include scrabble, which he said has thrived under the administration.
NSF President, Engineer Bright Idahosa, called the tournament the country’s most prestigious scrabble event, one that draws elite players from across Nigeria and the diaspora each year.
“We remain grateful to Governor Douye Diri for his consistent commitment to this championship. It has become the competition every serious scrabble player wants to be part of because of its quality, organisation and prestige,” Idahosa said.
“Bayelsa also offers a peaceful atmosphere and exceptional hospitality, which is why many of us now feel completely at home whenever we come here,” he added.
Organisers expect more than 300 players at this year’s edition, setting up what is expected to be another closely fought contest in one of Africa’s premier scrabble competitions.
