BY BEN OGBEMUDIA
In a dazzling display of linguistic firepower and mental agility, Team Nigeria stormed the opening day of the 2025 World English-Language Scrabble Players Association Championship (WESPAC) in Accra, Ghana, stamping their authority as the kings of world Scrabble once again.
Out of 129 elite players from 28 nations, Nigeria’s 20-man contingent made their presence felt early, with six Nigerians muscling their way into the coveted Top 20 after Day 1.
Leading the charge is Bayelsa’s Timi Woko, who finished the opening day undefeated with a perfect 7–0 record, sitting comfortably at the summit of the global leaderboard.
Behind him, a trio of Delta State born wordsmiths, George Ezinore (4th), Godwin Victor (8th), and Rex Ogbakpa (10th), kept Nigeria’s flag flying high, while Oluwatimilehin Doko of Ogun (11th) and Chinedu Thorpe of Anambra (16th) rounded off the nation’s dominant showing.
It was a statement of intent—loud, deliberate, and unmistakable.
The Palms by Eagles Hotel in Accra was buzzing as over 250 of the world’s finest players gathered for what has been dubbed the “Battle of Brains and Vocabulary.”
With categories like the Akwaaba Challenge, Sika Gold Challenge, and the flagship WESPAC Main Event, the week-long championship promises to test wit, composure, and sheer intellectual stamina.
But it was Nigeria the continental powerhouse, that grabbed the early headlines. The Green-and-White delegation, known for their methodical preparation and decades-long dominance in global Scrabble, didn’t just show up, they took over.
As other nations watched in awe, Nigeria’s contingent—composed of 15 national qualifiers and 5 late entrants who fought through the Last Chance Qualifier, played with clinical precision, showing that every tile counts and every move tells a story.
Day 1’s top 20 featured players from 12 countries, but none matched Nigeria’s depth. Singapore, Ghana, and South Africa managed two players each, while global heavyweights like the U.S., U.K., and Canada were reduced to lone flag-bearers.
For Nigeria, it wasn’t just about points on a board, it was about pride, legacy, and reminding the world that when it comes to Scrabble, Africa’s heartbeat nation reigns supreme.
At the opening ceremony, Ghana’s Minister of Sports and Recreation, Kofi Iddie Adams, declared Scrabble a “celebration of intellect and language,” while pledging to integrate the mind sport into Ghana’s education and wellness programs.
The ceremony glittered with dignitaries and international Scrabble officials, but it was the Nigerian players, focused, calm, and quietly confident, who stole the whispers of admiration in the room.
As the championship enters Day 2, all eyes are on Team Nigeria. Can Woko maintain his flawless run?
Can Ezinore or Victor climb into the top three? The pressure will mount, the boards will get tougher, and the words will get wilder but Nigeria’s mental gladiators look ready for the storm.
In Accra, where minds meet and words wield power, the Eagles have already spoken, loud and clear.
Nigeria came to play. And they’re spelling domination, one word at a time.