Edo State’s George Ezinore has emerged champion of the prestigious 2025 Asaph Zadok National Scrabble Championship, solidifying his place among Nigeria’s elite wordsmiths. The tournament, hosted at Florence Hotel and Suites in Benin City, Edo State, featured Nigeria's finest, including African champion Oluwatimilehin Doko, former NSF Green Jacket holder Dipo Akanbi, and seasoned champion John Aiyedun. Ezinore's remarkable consistency saw him finish with 20 wins, one draw, and a cumulative score of +922 from 28 games, edging out Rivers State's Larry Etuwa, who recorded 19 wins.
Representing Ogun State, Samuel Adebola secured third place with 18 wins and a higher cumulative of +1236 points, narrowly surpassing Oyo State’s Jamiu Kareem, who also had 18 wins but a lower cumulative of +525. Ezinore’s commanding performance saw him dominate from game 13 through to the final round, a testament to his preparation and focus amidst stiff competition from top-ranked players.
After several close attempts in previous years, Ezinore expressed fulfillment at finally capturing the coveted NSF Green Jacket. He dedicated his victory to scrabble players in Edo State and the Edo State Sports Commission, whose support he described as pivotal. “This win proves that consistent investment in sports yields great results. I’m proud to bring this honor home to Edo,” he shared. His near-miss at the recent Niger Delta Sports Festival only fueled his determination for this historic win.
The Awards and Gala Night on Thursday 17th of April saw Ezinore officially decorated with the Green Jacket. In the team event, Ogun State claimed top honors, followed by Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The Edo State Sports Commission, under Honourable Desmond Enabulele’s leadership, was also commended for fostering sports development and enabling a thriving competitive environment.
The annual week-long festivities organized by the Nigeria Scrabble Federation concluded fittingly on Sunday with the NSF Awards and Gala Night.
The 2024 NSF Scrabble Festival featured the Asaph Zadok National Scrabble Championship, the Federation's Annual General Meeting, the NSF Inter-Club Challenge Finals, and the Awards and Gala Night.
The Awards and Gala Night saw the presence of the Ogun State Commissioner of Sports, Honourable Isiaka Wasiu, the Head of the Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu-Ode, Mr Gbolahun Okeowo, the President of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation, Engineer Toke Aka, the chairman of the Ogun State Scrabble Association (OSSA), Adekoyejo Adegbesan, and the Technical Director of the Federation, John Curtis. It also honored the best players of the 2023 Scrabble season and the winners of the two major events at the Scrabble Festival.
Enoch Nwali clinched the 2024 Asaph Zadok National Championship with 20 wins and a draw from 28 games, achieving a +1220 cumulative spread. He was honored by the Ogun State Commissioner of Sports, Isiaka Wasiu, who served as the guest of honor at the Awards night, and was awarded the NSF Green Jacket.
In the individual category, the second position was secured by Lagos State's John Aiyedun, while Ogun State's Oluwatimilehin Doko finished third.
In the Team event of the National Championship, Team Delta claimed the 1st position, with Lagos State securing the second place.
Host Ogun State finished commendably in 3rd place with 93 victories and a +2684 points.
The NSF Inter-Club Challenge title was clinched by Pyramid Scrabble Club of Lagos, led by scrabble warriors John Aiyedun, Dipo Akanbi, Ayomisipo Akinfemisoye, Olawole Ogedengbe, Adegboyegha Akintokun, and Osaghaede Omijeh.
Surulere SC, featuring a star-studded team including captain Olumide Oyejide, Hakeem Olaribighe, Opeyemi Oloro Joseph Okere, Olatunde Adigun, and Sunday Ituah, secured the 2nd position in the Inter-Club Finals.
UNILAG SC, initially leading on Day 1 and 2 until Pyramids SC claimed the first spot, finished 3rd. Their team included prominent players like African Champion Enoch Nwali, West Africa Champion Oluwatimilehin Doko, Musa Lateef, Africa Youth Scrabble Champion David Ojih, Tunde Saporu, Kareem Jamiu, and Babajide Alagbada.
Oluwatimilehin Doko of UNILAG Scrabble Club was awarded the Most Valuable Player of the NSF Inter-Club Challenge, winning 24 out of 30 points, and also received the Longest Number One on the Rating Award for the 2023 season.
Sylvanus Ikpere was named the Most Improved Male Player - 2023.
Joy Ola, the 13th African Games gold medalist, was recognized as the Most Improved Female Player of the outgoing scrabble season.
Tega Okiemute was honored with the award for the most rated games in the 2023 season.
All the winners were generously rewarded for their outstanding performances in the 2023 season and the Scrabble Festival.
The general guidelines governing the Asaph Zadok National Scrabble Championship, scheduled to hold from 15th - 17th April, 2024 in Ijebu-Ode (Ogun State), are as detailed below:
The general guidelines governing the NSF Inter-Club Challenge Competition Grand Finale - 2023/2024, scheduled to hold from 19th - 21st April, 2024 in Ijebu-Ode (Ogun State), are as detailed in the Table below:
The 2024 National Scrabble Festival will commence from the 15th to the 21st of April in Abeokuta Ijebu-Ode, Ogun state. The festival is a major event organised annually by the Nigeria Scrabble Federation and it comprises of two tournaments viz; the Asaph Zadok National Championship and the NSF Inter Club Challenge. The Annual General Meeting of the Federation will be held during the festival which will be rounded up with an Awards and Gala night.
Twelve Scrabble clubs have already qualified to vie for honours in Ogun State during the Inter-Club Challenge. Each state of the federation is expected to present players to compete at the Asaph Zadok National Championship. The winner of the championship will be presented with a trophy, cash prize and a green jacket designated for the national champion.
Delta State are the defending champions of the Asaph Zadok National Championship, while Eta Paul Karo is the holder of the National Championship title. Warri Scrabble Club are the defending champions of the Inter-Club Challenge.
Further information on the modalities and time-table for the two events will be posted soon.
Click here for guidelines for the 2024 Inter-Club Challenge Finals
