Abdulmumin Jimoh emerges African Scrabble champion

Nigeria’s Abdulmumin Jimoh staged a stunning comeback to win the African Scrabble Championship in Monrovia, Liberia, on Sunday, October 25, 2026, as Nigeria claimed 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 to secure the continental crown.

His compatriot, George Ezinore, also recorded 23 wins but settled for second place with a spread of +1,005, while Emmanuel Umujose completed an all-Nigerian podium in third position.

The victory capped an impressive recovery for the Gateway Scrabble Club player, who climbed the standings throughout the four-day competition before making his decisive move on the final day.

African Scrabble Championship: Jimoh’s decisive comeback

Jimoh began the tournament outside the leading positions, finishing the opening day in 12th place with five wins, one defeat and a spread of +257 points.

He improved significantly on the second day, taking his victory tally to 10 and his spread to +780 to move into third position.

However, the contest became more difficult on day three as Jimoh dropped to sixth place despite recording six additional wins and increasing his spread to +1,040.

With the title race reaching its climax, the Kogi State-born player delivered a strong final-day performance to return to contention.

His 430–362 victory over Larry Etuwa in round 31 took him to 23 wins and a spread of +1,823, placing him in a strong position to secure the championship.

Jimoh subsequently lost his final game against Ezinore, but his overall tournament performance proved decisive in the title race.

Ezinore had strengthened his challenge with a 510–339 victory over Kenya’s Gitonga Nderitu.

At that stage, the reigning Nigerian national champion had 22 wins and a spread of +942, trailing Jimoh by one victory and 881 spread points.

Although Ezinore defeated Jimoh in their final encounter, the latter’s accumulated spread across the competition secured him the continental title.

African Scrabble Championship: Jimoh succeeds Doko

Jimoh succeeds compatriot and clubmate Oluwatimilehin Doko, who won the continental championship in Kigali two years ago.

Doko endured a difficult campaign in Monrovia after falling ill during the gruelling competition, managing 17 victories.

Ezinore, meanwhile, repeated his second-place finish from the previous edition won by Doko, according to the Nigeria Scrabble Federation’s press release.

Nigeria’s latest triumph further underlined the country’s strength in African Scrabble, with its players occupying the first three positions in the overall standings.

Nigeria win best country as Kyeremateng leads women

Nigeria’s dominance extended beyond the individual competition as the country secured the Best Country award, finishing ahead of Kenya and hosts Liberia.

In the women’s category, Ghana‘s Betty Kyeremateng emerged as the Best Female Player after recording 20 wins from 32 games.

Nigeria’s Sophia Ekeruche finished second in the female standings with 18 victories.

Ekeruche, recognised as the World’s Best Female Junior Player in both 2025 and 2026, added another strong performance to her growing record in competitive Scrabble.

The championship concluded with Nigeria celebrating both the individual title and the team accolade, led by Jimoh’s remarkable recovery from 12th position on the opening day to continental champion.

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