Since 2010, the Winifred Awosika Foundation (WAF) has sponsored the teaching of scrabble in schools. We started with 20 schools; 5 public schools and 15 private schools. Pupils in these schools were trained in scrabble for free (sponsored by the Winifred Awosika Foundation) and brought together to compete. This gave birth to the maiden edition of the Winifred Awosika Foundation Scrabble tournament for schools 2011.

The first prize of N250000 was won by Arinze Onwuachusi of Chrisland schools Opebi. Second and third price went home with N150000 and N100000 respectively. High Chief (Dr.) Mrs Winifred Awosika specifically suggested that we have more public schools and intensify the training for the public schools. We increased the public schools from 5 to 30. Bear in mind that scrabble have never been taught in their schools before. This created the opportunity for them to enjoy for free what their peers in top private schools pay for. 

High Chief Dr Winifred Awosika’s vision is to improve vocabulary, math, logicand reasoning in school children. She wanted to encourage creativity and promote out-of-the box thinking in schools. She found a viable tool in scrabble. 

High Chief was also particular about bridging the gap between public and private schools. She wanted to create a platform for them to interact, commune and compete.

The word scrabble means to scratch or grope around, to find, collect or hold on to something (Oxford Advance learner’s dictionary). Scrabble is a word-board game that involves a lot of spelling, math, thinking and planning. For years teachers have known that Scrabble is a fun and innovative way for kids to improve their vocabulary, spelling, math and Spatial relation skills.

Scientists claimed that regular scrabble playing time can encourage the brain to form a new pattern and complex neural networks naturally. This in turn leads to more brain power, increases skill, improved concentration, and memory with minimal investment. The benefits of playing scrabble include improved vocabulary, math, and reasoning skills amongst others. It also encourages frequent use of the dictionary thereby making discoverers among learners. 

Today, hundreds of schools (public and private) have been impacted by the Winifred Awosika foundation scrabble tournament for schools. Many of these schools now have their own scrabble programs both as co-curricula and extra-curricula activities. 

WAF has trained over 3000 pupils in scrabble. Over 1000 scrabble boards have also been distributed in schools. WAF has also created jobs for over 100 scrabble instructors, many of who have now made a thriving business as scrabble facilitators in several schools. The WAFST has hosted over 2000 school children, providing lunch, clothes, and gift items for every single participant. Millions of Naira have also been given out to winners in each category including a cash price of N100000 to the best public school. 

We have nurtured champions who have gone on to conquer the world. In 2012, one of our participants who came third went on to win the world best category at the world youth scrabbles championship held in Dubai. At that competition, we had over 20 representatives from Nigeria all products of the WAF scrabble tournament. Many of our Alumni represent their states at youth games and national sports festivals.

Furthermore, the WAFST has gone national. We now hold qualifiers at all geo-political zones across Nigeria. So we have the champions of the south-west, south-south, southeast, north-central, north-west and north-east come to compete with their Lagos counterparts at the grand finale. Many of our zonal champions come in by air fully paid for by the foundation. We have two winners from the zones emerging as overall winners of WAFST; Savior Oyare Onazi (Trophy School Minna, Niger state) 2022 7^th edition and  Beulah Allswell (Rayfield International primary school Akwa Ibom state) 6^th edition 2020; Other past winners include Bamidele Sharon (SEF school) 5^th edition 2018. Olisa Okeke (Chrisland School VGC Lagos) 4^th edition 2016; Chibudom Ihejirika (Chrisland school Opebi Lagos) 3^rd edition2014; Mofe Lawal (Hallmark school Ikeja Lagos) 2^nd edition 2012 and Arinze Onwuachusi (Chrisland School Opebi Lagos) 1^st edition 2011.

To conclude, WAFST is a homecoming for many scrabble enthusiasts, players, coaches, teachers, schools, stakeholders, and parents. Our message to you the children is clear: We want to encourage you to keep seeking knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. We believe in you lie the solutions to humanity’s numerous problems. We believe children are the same everywhere whether you are in private or public school, whether you are from the north or south.  We believe God has deposited in you talents, and abilities which must be discovered, developed, maximized, and released. 

Kelechi Chioma

Senior facilitator

Scrabble in schools initiative (Vintage Man House)