Jimoh Stages Comeback to Win African Scrabble Championship as Nigeria Claim Best Country Award
… Ghana’s Betty Kyeremateng Emerges Best Female Player in Monrovia
Oru Leonard
Nigeria’s Abdulmumin Jimoh has emerged champion of the 16th African Scrabble Championship in Monrovia, Liberia, after a remarkable comeback, as Nigeria also secured the Best Country award ahead of Kenya and hosts Liberia.
Jimoh finished top of the 110-player field with 23 victories and a cumulative spread of +1,760 points, beating compatriot George Ezinore, who recorded the same number of wins but settled for second place with a spread of +1,005 points.
Another Nigerian, Delta State-born Emmanuel Umujose, completed an all-Nigerian podium by finishing third overall.
The victory marked an impressive achievement for Jimoh, a player with Gateway Scrabble Club, who recovered from a challenging start to climb the standings and secure the continental title.
The Kogi State-born wordsmith ended the opening day in 12th position with five wins, one defeat and a spread of +257 points.
He improved his performance on the second day, taking his tally to 10 victories and increasing his cumulative spread to +780 points to move into third place.
However, the competition intensified on the third day, with Jimoh dropping to sixth position despite recording six wins and improving his spread to +1,040 points.
With the championship approaching its conclusion, Jimoh mounted a decisive challenge on the final day, winning crucial games to move into contention for the title.
His 430–362 victory over Larry Etuwa in round 31 took his tally to 23 wins and his spread to +1,823 points, placing him in a strong position to claim the championship before he lost his final game to Ezinore.
Nigeria’s reigning national champion, Ezinore, also maintained his challenge in the closing stages, defeating Kenya’s Gitonga Nderitu 510–339 to strengthen his position in second place.
At that stage, Ezinore had 22 wins and a spread of +942 points, trailing Jimoh by one victory and 881 points in spread.
Although Ezinore defeated Jimoh in their final encounter, Jimoh’s overall performance throughout the tournament proved decisive, earning him the African crown.
Jimoh succeeds his Nigerian compatriot and clubmate, Oluwatimilehin Doko, who won the continental title two years ago in Kigali, Rwanda. Ezinore finished second in that championship and repeated the feat in Monrovia.
Doko reportedly fell ill during the demanding competition and managed 17 victories.
Nigeria Clinch Best Country Award
Nigeria’s dominance extended beyond the individual competition, with the country winning the Best Country award ahead of Kenya and host nation Liberia.
The achievement reinforced Nigeria’s position in African Scrabble, with the country producing the top three finishers in the overall standings while also securing the team honour.
Ghana’s Kyeremateng Wins Female Category
In the women’s competition, Ghana’s Betty Kyeremateng emerged as the Best Female Player after recording 20 victories from 32 games.
Nigeria’s Sophia Ekeruche, who was recognised as the World’s Best Female Junior Player in both 2025 and 2026, finished second in the female standings with 18 wins.
The championship concluded on Sunday in Monrovia, bringing together players from across the continent to compete for individual and national honours.
Jimoh’s triumph, alongside Nigeria’s success in the team standings, highlighted the country’s strong showing at the 16th edition of the African Scrabble Championship.
(Maxwell Kumoye, Spokesperson, NSF
October 26, 2026)
