Scrabble champion seeks to promote game in Nigeria

In honour of Wellington Jighere, first African to win the World Scrabble Championship, scrabble players in Nigeria have initiated a move to promote the game in the country.

Scrabble players in Nigeria recently held a game session to honour Jighere who emerged winner at the World English-language Scrabble Players’ Association Championship held in Perth, Australia in November 2015.

Jighere, 32, who graduated from university earlier this year, beat his British rival after four straight games in the best-of-seven final round against Lewis MacKay, 30, from Cambridge.

Meet Wellington Jighere, World Scrabble Champion https://t.co/4xweLv2rlj pic.twitter.com/F3Mlr2Vz7W

— BBC Africa (@BBCAfrica) December 31, 2015

While speaking at the recent event, Jighere said he was optimistic during the championship game.

Although the growth of scrabble has been very slow in Nigeria, more people are begining to show interest in the game after Jighere’s win.

Chairman of scrabble group in Nigeria, Giwa Hakeem, said they are trying to encourage more children to take up scrabble in Nigeria. Adding that they are putting up more effort to ensure that the game is sustained.