Governor Diri Pledges to Introduce Scrabble in Bayelsa Schools, Promises Bigger 2027 National Classi
Oru Leonard
YENAGOA, BAYELSA, Aug. 3, 2026 – Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the development of Scrabble in Nigeria, announcing plans to introduce the game into secondary schools across the state following the successful conclusion of the 6th Governor Douye Diri National Scrabble Classic.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the championship at the DSP Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall in Yenagoa on Sunday, Governor Diri described the annual tournament as Nigeria’s premier Scrabble competition and commended the Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF) and the Bayelsa State Scrabble Association for sustaining the championship.
The governor, who took part in an exhibition match against NSF President, Engineer Bright Idahosa, said the game brought back fond memories of his younger years, noting that Scrabble played a significant role in expanding his vocabulary and sharpening his analytical thinking.
He stressed that Scrabble remains one of the most educational sports, promoting strategic thinking, creativity, problem-solving and intellectual development among young people, while also producing national and international champions.
As part of efforts to strengthen grassroots development, Governor Diri announced that he had directed the Commissioners for Sports Development and Education to work out modalities for the introduction of an inter-secondary schools Scrabble competition across Bayelsa State.
According to him, the initiative is designed to expose students to the educational and cognitive benefits of the game while nurturing future Scrabble champions from an early age.
Governor Diri also commended players, officials and visitors who travelled from different parts of Nigeria and beyond to participate in the championship, expressing appreciation for their support in making Bayelsa the nation’s leading destination for mind sports.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to investing in Scrabble as a platform for youth empowerment, intellectual growth and human capital development.
Congratulating winners in the various categories, the governor assured the Nigeria Scrabble Federation that Bayelsa would be pleased to host the seventh edition of the Governor Douye Diri National Scrabble Classic in 2027 on a much bigger and more impressive scale.
The Governor Douye Diri National Scrabble Classic has continued to grow in prominence, attracting many of Nigeria’s top-ranked Scrabble players and further cementing Bayelsa State’s reputation as a major hub for mind sports in the country.
