Tunde Onakoya Reveals Why He Turned Down Life-Changing Offer
Nigerian chess champion and Chess in Slums founder, Tunde Onakoya, has opened up about a difficult decision to reject a lucrative financial offer, saying it did not align with his values and vision.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Onakoya shared that while the offer could have been life-changing, he ultimately prioritized integrity over financial gain. The 30-year-old admitted that the decision was not easy, as he wrestled with the idea before concluding that staying true to his principles mattered more.
“I recently turned down life-changing money. Not because it was exactly wrong, but it did not align with my values or the vision of who I’m becoming,” he wrote.
Reflecting on the experience, he described feeling a sense of liberation after making the choice, adding, “Integrity is the real wealth.”
Onakoya also expressed gratitude to a mentor, @OgaBoxx, for offering guidance during what he described as a period of “new chaos.”
Known for his efforts in using chess as a tool for empowering underprivileged children, Onakoya continues to be a respected figure in both the sports and social impact spaces.
