With 33 of the top 100 ranked players globally, Nigeria has firmly established itself as a Scrabble powerhouse.
The United States follows with 22 players, while England and Canada have 6 and 5 players, respectively. Beyond Scrabble, board games are widely enjoyed across Nigeria, from traditional games like ayo to chess and Monopoly. These games are embraced by people from all walks of life, including the middle class and those with less formal education. The competitive spirit, reflected in the popular saying “Naija no dey carry last” (Nigeria never comes last), fuels the nation’s enthusiasm for strategic gameplay.
Nigeria’s dominance extends to youth competitions as well. In 2023, David Ojih and Prestige Archibong emerged victorious in the U-19 and U-15 divisions of the Winifred Awosika African Youth Scrabble Championship. They competed against participants from Kenya, Liberia, Ghana, Uganda, and host nation Nigeria, reinforcing the country’s reputation in the game.
The global Scrabble stage now turns to Accra, Ghana, which will host the 2025 World Scrabble Championship in November.
Given Nigeria’s track record, its players are expected to make a strong impact once again! Read further here
This article originally appeared in businessday.ng
Image: businessday.ng
