Bayelsa wants students to swap calculators for scrabble boards as state plans new school championship

Precious Omolu 13:31 - 07 August 2026

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Daniel Igali led officials from the Bayelsa Ministry of Sports Development to a meeting with the Ministry of Education over plans to introduce scrabble in secondary schools

Bayelsa plans to introduce scrabble and chess in secondary schools as Governor Douye Diri orders preparations for the state’s maiden schools scrabble championship.

Bayelsa is planning to introduce scrabble and chess in secondary schools across the state.
Governor Douye Diri directed the initiative during the sixth Governor Diri National Scrabble Classics.
Coaches from the Bayelsa State Sports Council will train selected teachers, who will then coach students.
Officials say the programme is aimed at developing critical thinking, problem-solving and future national and international champions.

Students in Bayelsa secondary schools may soon have another serious battle to worry about, this time, over words, letters and strategy.

The Bayelsa State Government has started plans to introduce scrabble and chess into secondary schools across the state, with officials already working on how to get the programme running.

The Commissioner for Sports Development, Daniel Igali, led officials from the ministry to a meeting with the Ministry of Education as part of preparations for the state’s first Secondary Schools Scrabble Championship.

The move follows a directive from Governor Douye Diri, who announced the plan during the sixth edition of the Governor Diri National Scrabble Classics.

At the meeting, Igali and the Commissioner for Education, Emelah Gentle, discussed how scrabble can be introduced in secondary schools, while also considering chess as another intellectual sport for students.

Bayelsa officials discussed plans for the state’s maiden Secondary Schools Scrabble Championship during the meeting.

The idea, according to the officials, is not just about getting students to play games. The government says the sports will help improve critical thinking, problem-solving and other intellectual skills.

Igali said his ministry was ready to work with the Ministry of Education to discover and develop young talents who could eventually represent Bayelsa and Nigeria at national and international competitions.

He said he was confident the state could produce champions in both scrabble and chess.

The programme will use a train-the-trainer model. Under the plan, coaches from the Bayelsa State Sports Council will train selected teachers, who will then teach, coach and mentor students in their respective schools ahead of the championship.

“Today’s meeting is about developing a clear blueprint for the seamless implementation of His Excellency’s directive. The collaboration establishes a comprehensive roadmap that guarantees the smooth execution of that mandate,” Igali said.

“We believe that introducing scrabble in our schools will produce more national and international champions.”

The Commissioner for Education, Gentle, also welcomed the initiative and praised the Ministry of Sports Development for moving quickly after the governor’s directive.

Commissioner for Education Emelah Gentle welcomed the plan to introduce scrabble and chess to secondary schools across Bayelsa.

She noted that Bayelsa has already built a strong reputation in Nigerian school sports, particularly through its performances in the Secondary School Basketball Championship.

“I commend the Ministry of Sports Development under the leadership of Honourable Igali for its swift response to the Governor’s mandate. Bayelsa has become a household name in Nigerian school sports, and this initiative will further strengthen our reputation for producing outstanding young talents,” Gentle said.

If the plan goes ahead as proposed, secondary school students in Bayelsa will have the opportunity to develop their skills in scrabble and chess while competing for honours at the state level.

The meeting was attended by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Simon-Peter Okene; the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Sports Development, Pereyi Efeke; the Technical Adviser to the Governor on Information and Strategic Communications, High Chief Abednego Don Evarada; the Director of Sports at the Bayelsa State Sports Council, Bibowei Lambert; the Head of Sports Department, George Mark; and the Assistant Director of Human Resources Management at the Ministry of Sports Development, Michael Alakere.