GOV. DIRI RAISES SCRABBLE CLASSIC PRIZE MONEY TO ₦40M Directs Introduction Of Mind Game In Schools. By Chris Mark
GOV. DIRI RAISES SCRABBLE CLASSIC PRIZE MONEY TO ₦40M
Directs Introduction Of Mind Game In Schools
Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has announced a major increase in prize money for the Diri National Scrabble Classic, with the winner of the Masters category in the next edition to receive ₦5 million.
Speaking during the closing ceremony of the 6th edition on Sunday night in Yenagoa, an elated Governor Diri said the total prize money for the tournament would be raised from ₦20 million to ₦40 million.
The Governor also directed the Commissioners for Sports and Education to work out modalities for the introduction of Scrabble in all secondary schools in the state, noting that the mind game helps to develop students intellectually.
Senator Diri said Scrabble shaped his vocabulary, spelling and thinking ability while growing up.
“Scrabble is a game I started playing as a youth and it helped my vocabulary and spelling ability. Today, I am very happy to hear the waves this tournament has made not only in our country but also beyond it,” he said.
“Scrabble is a mind game. It is something that I will personally recommend even for our secondary schools as this is not just a sport, it is also education.
“The importance of Scrabble cannot be over-emphasised as it makes you think strategically. We will continue to support the game till I leave office.
“Next year will be the last time I will have this interaction with you. So, in the next edition, the prize money for the Masters winner will be ₦5 million and the general category will be ₦40 million.”
Responding to requests from the President of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation, Engr. Toke Aka, the Governor promised to influence the inclusion of Scrabble in the 2028 National Sports Festival scheduled to hold in Bayelsa. He also pledged government support for Nigerian players participating in the World Youth Scrabble Championship in Kenya this weekend.
“We have the hosting right for the 2028 National Sports Festival and the practice is that as host, you can introduce some new games, and Scrabble will be part of it. We will also support those going to Kenya as requested,” he said.
“We have a lot of talented youths and sports is one way to develop them. We are among the top sporting states in Nigeria and that is why we are investing in sports to develop our talents.”
In his remarks, NSF President Engr. Bright Idahosa said Scrabble brought global attention to Nigeria after the country won the World Championship in 2015. He described Governor Diri as a “silent achiever” and hailed his infrastructure strides.
The Commissioner for Sports, Dr. Daniel Igali, described Scrabble as a mind sport that must be celebrated. He assured that the 2028 NSF in Bayelsa “will be the best in the country” and that work on the 30,000-capacity and 15,000-capacity stadia was progressing well.
Chairman of Bayelsa State Scrabble Association, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, said the 2026 edition recorded the highest number of registered players in any Scrabble tournament in Nigeria with over 300 participants, and offered the highest prize money so far. He added that the tournament featured participants from Ghana and had online registration, live-streaming and digital score recording.
Abdulmumin Jimoh emerged champion of the Masters category and won ₦2 million and a trophy. Bayelsa-born Felix Igolukuma won the Intermediate category with ₦1.2 million, while Godwin Angoye topped the Opens with ₦700,000.
For the third time, Oladokun Esan won the Veterans category and ₦900,000. Godwin Joseph claimed the Students category with ₦150,000.
Each category had between 10 and 15 prize winners. The Governor also announced a special gift of ₦1 million each to seven-year-old Abdulsalam Yusuf from Kwara State and nine-year-old Bayelsa-born Elizabeth Fun-ere.
The highpoint of the event was an exhibition game between the NSF President and the Governor, which the Governor won.
