Tunde Onakoya, the Guinness World Record-holding chess master and founder of Chess in Slums Africa (CISA), has added another global milestone to his remarkable journey.

Onakoya was honoured over the weekend in Barcelona, Spain, as the first African to receive the prestigious Lideramos Youth Award for Social Impact. The award recognises his tireless work using chess as a tool to transform the lives of children from underserved communities across Africa.

This latest achievement comes on the heels of his growing international profile. Earlier this year, Onakoya was appointed the first Global Ambassador for WR Chess, a global network dedicated to expanding access to the game. In that role, he is set to join forces with WR Chess founder Wadim Rosenstein for a major Guinness World Record attempt, the longest chess marathon, scheduled for June 25–28, 2026.

Known for his record-breaking 64-hour chess marathon in New York’s Times Square in 2025 (his second validated Guinness record), Onakoya continues to blend elite chess with powerful social advocacy. Through CISA, he has brought hope, education, and opportunity to thousands of children who once saw the slums as their only reality.

From the streets of Lagos to stages in Barcelona and beyond, Tunde Onakoya keeps proving that one board, one move, and one determined dreamer can change lives on a global scale.