Ado Salisu
The Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF) has appointed Sufyan Olojoku as captain of Team Nigeria ahead of the 2025 Pan African Youth Scrabble Championship scheduled to take place in Kenya.
In a statement signed by NSF spokesperson Maxwell Kumoye on Friday in Lagos, the federation said Olojoku was chosen for his calm disposition, wealth of experience, and strong rapport with fellow players.
Olojoku, who has represented Kwara State since 2021, boasts an impressive track record. He won a silver medal at the 2021 National Youth Games, two gold medals and a silver in 2023, and has competed for Nigeria at both the World Youth Scrabble Championship and the African Youth Scrabble Championship, where he finished fifth. The 19-year-old, who completed his secondary education at Government Day Secondary School, Adewole, in 2021, is seeking admission into Kwara State University to study Medical Laboratory Science.
He will compete in the Under-19 category at the upcoming championship, which runs from August 14 to 17 at Brighton International School in Syokimau, Machakos County, Kenya. Team Nigeria’s 10-player squad will depart Lagos for Nairobi on Monday aboard Asky Airlines.
According to the NSF, four players are sponsored by the Kwara State Government, two by Bayelsa State, while Lagos, Edo, Niger, and Akwa Ibom states are each sponsoring one player.
Team Nigeria’s Roster
Female:
Sophia Ekeruche
Joy Eberechukwu Nwabuzor
Eliana Igbe
Male:
Saviour Onazi
Hassan Olojoku
Sufyan Olojoku (Captain)
Abdulqudus Aliu
Khalid Olosun
Prestige Archibong
Damilola Adeleke
Organised by the Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA), the African Youth Scrabble Championship is a continental event for young players, featuring Under-15 and Under-19 categories. This year’s edition will host 150 participants from 11 countries, with a prize pool of $3,225, alongside laptops, tablets, and trophies for top performers.
The first edition was held in 2023 at Chrisland School, Lekki, Lagos, where Nigeria’s David Ojih and Prestige Archibong won the U-19 and U-15 titles respectively.