Lagos’ Akanbi, Ayedun, Olaribigbe Shine In Nigeria’s 2025 World Scrabble Championship Success
By Tayo Ogunseye
Nigeria rose to the peak of the world as the team was crowned the Best Scrabble Playing Country among 27 countries in Accra Ghana.
The country which last won the title in India 2019, did ignited the playing hall of The Palm By Eagles Hotel with their blistering word-power play and prowess on the number-and-word game.
Nigeria garnered a combined 350 wins in 640 games with a cumulative spread of +8975 points.
Host Ghana came second with a distant 114 wins while Kenya finished third in a championship where 27 countries participated.
Defending champion United States of America (USA) were ranked 14th on the table.
Right in the fold of Nigeria’s 15-man team were three Lagos State Civil Servants.
The trio of Dipo Akanbi (Director, Engineering Services; New Town Development Authority, NTDA),
John Aiyedun (Special Committee On Rehabilitation of Public Schools, SCRPS) who were ranked in the top-40 players in the world
and Hakeem Olaribigbe (Lagos State Resident Registration Agency, LASRA) contributed to the success of the country at the 7-day championship in the west African country.
Their critical contribution as part of the team shored up the country’s humongous victory led by top -ten finishers; African champion Oluwatimilehin Doko, Oghenetega Okiemute and Abdulmumin Jimoh.
Team Nigeria captain Rex Ogbakpa who could not contain his excitement said he was very elevated.
“I’m very elated. To say I’m happy is an understatement. We have come to the world and we have conquered again!” He declared.
Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF) President Bright Idahosa expressed a great satisfaction with the team’s performance at the world stage.
“It was lovely and so exciting!”He said immediately after the closing ceremony, “Nigerians are celebrating! All the way in Ghana we have conquered. Nigeria always conquer in scrabble. Our players are wonderful and it was a commanding performance!”
Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA) President Adekoyejo Adegbesan who played a vital role in bringing the championships to Africa for the second time after Kenya hosted in 2017, said he was glad Nigeria regain the title from the Americans.
“It’s where Nigeria should be. Since 2015 Nigeria has been the best playing scrabble country in the world. We lost the title in 2023 in Las Vegas to the US. Nigeria won it back here in Accra, taking back what belongs to them. I wouldn’t want to look at the from the lens of being a Nigeria alone, I’m an African President.
Ghana came second and Kenya finished third in a tournament that has Canada, China, Pakistan, India and other top nations, it shows that the headquarter of scrabble is now in Africa” he declared.
