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Nigeria’s Scrabble stars keep winning on the continental and world stage, but national team coach Anthony Ikolo says the applause is no longer enough and that it is time for the country to back them with real support.
Ikolo, who has spent 12 years guiding Nigerian players to success, spoke after Team Nigeria’s performance at the 16th African Scrabble Championship in Monrovia, Liberia, which he called fresh proof of the country’s growing dominance of the game.
Abdulmumin Jimoh emerged individual champion with 23 wins from 32 games and a tournament-high spread of +1,760. George Ezinore took second place with 23 wins and a spread of +1,005. Nigeria also won the Best Country award, ahead of Kenya and hosts Liberia.
Ikolo said Monrovia was part of a pattern of sustained excellence. He pointed to Enoch Nwali, who won in Lusaka, Zambia, and Oluwatimilehin Doko, who conquered Africa in Kigali, Rwanda, before Jimoh’s win in Monrovia. He also highlighted 16-year-old Sophia Ekeruche, who has ruled the world in the junior female category for two consecutive years.
“Our players have continued to show that Nigeria is a force to reckon with in Scrabble, not just in Africa but across the world. What we are witnessing is the product of years of hard work, discipline, commitment and deliberate efforts to develop these athletes,” Ikolo said.
“Look at what Enoch Nwali achieved in Lusaka, what Oluwatimilehin Doko did in Kigali and now Abdulmumin Jimoh in Monrovia. These are different players, different atmosphere and different moments, but the message remains the same: Nigeria is producing champions consistently.”
On Ekeruche, he added: “Imagine a 16-year-old girl dominating the world in her category for two years running. That tells you the kind of talent we have in this country.
These young players are not just competing; they are setting standards and giving Nigeria a strong identity in international Scrabble.”
The Delta State-born coach said the results show Nigeria is building a generation that can sustain its dominance for years.
He praised the players and the technical crew for their sacrifices, preparation and teamwork, and commended the National Sports Commission (NSC), led by Chairman Shehu Dikko and Director-General Bukola Olopade, for its positive commitment to athletes’ support and rewards.
“The players deserve every commendation. They are the ones who sit at the board and fight for every point. The technical crew also deserves recognition for the planning, preparation and work that go into these performances.
“I must also appreciate the National Sports Commission, led by Chairman Shehu Dikko and Director-General Bukola Olopade. Their efforts and support for Nigerian sports have been encouraging. We need an environment where athletes are motivated, recognised and given the necessary backing to continue winning for the country.”
Ikolo then appealed to Nigerians, corporate organisations, sports stakeholders and government institutions to embrace the sport.
“My appeal to Nigerians is simple: please show this team some love. Show Scrabble some love. These players are making enormous sacrifices and bringing trophies, medals and international recognition to our country.
“Sometimes, we celebrate success in football and other popular sports, but we must also recognise those who are making Nigeria proud in other sporting disciplines. Scrabble is one of those sports where Nigeria is not just participating; we are dominating and setting the pace.
“These athletes deserve encouragement, better opportunities, sponsorship and recognition. They need to know that the country appreciates what they are doing. We cannot continue to celebrate their victories without making the necessary investment in their future.”
With a youthful generation already conquering Africa and challenging the world’s best, Ikolo believes the journey is far from over. His message is that the champions need more than applause after victory: they deserve the love, support and investment that will keep Nigeria at the summit of world Scrabble.
