Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa has increased the prize money for the annual Diri National Scrabble Classic and directed the introduction of the mind game in secondary schools across the state as part of efforts to promote intellectual development among young people.
Diri announced the measures on Monday during the closing ceremony of the sixth edition of the tournament held in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
The governor disclosed that the prize money for the next edition would be increased from N20 million to N40 million, with the winner of the Masters category receiving N5 million.
He also directed the state Commissioners for Sports and Education to develop a framework for introducing scrabble into secondary schools, describing the game as a tool for improving students’ vocabulary, analytical skills and strategic thinking.
According to Diri, his personal experience with scrabble shaped his intellectual growth while growing up, particularly in vocabulary development and spelling ability.
“Scrabble is a game I started playing as a youth and it helped my vocabulary and spelling ability,” he said.
The governor said the growing popularity of the tournament showed that scrabble had developed beyond recreation into a recognised sporting and educational activity.
“Scrabble is a mind game. It is something that I will personally recommend even for our secondary schools as this is not just a sport, it is also education, ” he said.
He added that the game encourages strategic thinking and mental discipline, assuring players and organisers of continued government support.
“The importance of scrabble cannot be over-emphasised as it makes you think strategically. We will continue to support the game till I leave office,” Diri said.
Responding to a request from the President of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF), Engr. Bright Idahosa, Diri also pledged to support efforts to include scrabble in the 2028 National Sports Festival, which Bayelsa is scheduled to host.
The governor said Bayelsa secured the hosting rights for the festival and would use the opportunity to introduce new sporting activities capable of developing young talents.
“We have the hosting right for the 2028 National Sports Festival and the practice is that as host, you can introduce some new games, and scrabble will be part of it,” he said.
Diri said the state’s investment in sports was driven by the need to identify and develop talented youths while providing them with productive platforms.
Also speaking at the event, Idahosa said scrabble had brought international recognition to Nigeria, especially after the country won the world championship in 2015.
He described Nigeria as the leading scrabble-playing nation in Africa and one of the best globally, while appreciating Governor Diri’s support for the development of the sport.
The NSF president said the governor’s commitment had helped increase interest in the game across the country.
Bayelsa Commissioner for Sports, Daniel Igali, also described scrabble as an important mind sport that deserved greater recognition and support.
He added that preparations for the 2028 National Sports Festival were progressing, with work ongoing on the state’s 30,000-capacity and 15,000-capacity stadium facilities.
Chairman of the Bayelsa State Scrabble Association, Daniel Alabrah, said the 2026 edition of the tournament recorded the highest number of registered participants in the history of Nigerian scrabble competitions, with more than 300 players taking part.
He said the tournament also introduced improvements such as online registration, digital score recording and live streaming, which expanded the reach of the competition globally.
Alabrah expressed optimism that the next edition could become an international tournament, noting that players from Ghana participated in the just-concluded event.
At the end of the competition, Abdulmumin Jimoh emerged champion of the Masters category, winning N2 million and a trophy.
Bayelsa-born Felix Igolukumo won the Intermediate category with N1.2 million and a trophy, while Godwin Angoye emerged winner of the Opens category, taking home N700,000 and a trophy.
Oladokun Esan won the Veterans category for the third time, receiving N900,000 and a trophy, while Godwin Joseph emerged winner of the Students category with N150,000 and a trophy.
Seven-year-old Abdulsalam Yusuf from Kwara State and nine-year-old Bayelsa-born Elizabeth Fun-ere also received special gifts of N1 million each from Governor Diri for their performances.
The event ended with an exhibition match between Governor Diri and the NSF president, which the governor won.
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