For the Future: 7 year-old Yusuf Abdulsalam and Saviour Onazi at past tournaments
By Tayo Ogunseye
Children below the age of 12 are set to receive greater attention at the 2026 Lekki Scrabble Classics as organisers introduce a dedicated Under-12 category for the prestigious tournament.
This initiative, according to the organisers, is aimed at creating an early pathway for young players to develop their skills, gain competitive experience and potentially grow into elite Scrabble players in the future.
The introduction of the U-12 section marks the first time the Lekki Scrabble Club will create a dedicated space for minors at the Classics, traditionally dominated by more experienced players.
Speaking on the motivation behind the initiative, President Samuel Anikoh said early exposure to competitive Scrabble could help uncover and nurture future champions for Nigeria.
Anikoh, who highlighted the benefits of starting the game at a young age, pointed to early starters such as Abdulmumeen Jimoh as evidence of the potential benefits of introducing children to Scrabble early.
Jimoh who is the defending champion has evolved into a force dominating the scrabble space in recent times.
He said the new category was part of the club’s broader effort to build on it’s school Scrabble programme and provide young players with opportunities to test their abilities in a competitive environment.
“As an early starter himself, Jimoh is evidence that starting early does have its benefits, which is why the Club is introducing a children’s section at the 2026 Lekki Classics event.”
“This is building on our school Scrabble programme and providing a platform for our young, under-12 players, a chance to begin to experience competitive Scrabble.”
The organisers believe the U-12 category will not only give children an opportunity to compete but also expose them to mentoring and the discipline required to excel in the mind sport.
The move is expected to strengthen the development pipeline for Scrabble in Nigeria by giving promising young players an opportunity to hone their skills from an early age while competing alongside the sport’s established names.
The tournament with a top cash prize of 1,000 US dollars will hold at the Peninsula Hotel from the 26 to 27 of this month in Lagos.
