Abdulmumin Jimoh has emerged champion of the sixth edition of the Governor Douye Diri National Scrabble Classic, carting home the trophy and the star prize of two million Naira.
Jimoh, who won the Premier Division at the 2025 Lekki Scrabble Classics in December last year beat other contenders including Ufuoma Emma and Emmanuel Omunjose who were second and third to be crowned winner in the prestigious Masters category in the two day tournament in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
The graduate of Biochemistry at the Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa secured the coveted trophy, and a two million Naira cash prize at the two-day tournament.
The Kogi State born player who represents Ogun State at competitions including the National Sports Festival where he also made a mark said he learnt the game of scrabble from his brothers.
In the other categories, Bayelsa born Igolikumo Felix won the Intermediate event getting a trophy and 1.2 million Naira while Oladokun Esan was crowned champion in the Veterans class, with Godwin Joseph emerging tops in the students’ classification.
During the closing ceremony at the DSP Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall, Government House, Yenagoa , Governor Douye Diri who said he also played Scrabble in his youthful years, said he decided to sponsor the competition to develop and empower the players and directed the Commissioner for Sport Development and his Education counterpart to liaise to introduce Scrabble competitions in schools in the State.
The Governor who announced increase in the prize money for the Masters category from next edition from 2 million Naira to 5 million Naira also said the total amount of the tournament will now be 40 million Naira from 20 million Naira promised that scrabble will be included in the 2028 National Sports Festival when Bayelsa State hosts the event, just as he said the State government would sponsor some scrabble players billed to represent Nigeria in continental and international competitions.
National President of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation, Engineer Bright Idahosa thanked the Governor for sponsoring the classics which according to him has been a breeding ground for selecting players for international tournaments who have gone ahead to do the nation proud with Nigeria producing 14 champions in 15 editions of African championships as well as world champions.
Chairman of the Bayelsa State Scrabble Association (BYSA), Mr. Daniel Alabrah said this year’s edition of the tourney was significant as it attracted over three hundred registered players, describing it as the biggest scrabble competition in the country.
Alabrah who is the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Diri said the governor’s sustained sponsorship of the tournament in the past five years has expanded awareness about the board game as well as boosted interest among youths in the state and across the country.
