Jimoh’s form fuels African Scrabble Championship hope

Nigeria’s Abdulmumin Jimoh’s recent surge has sharpened focus on the African Scrabble Championship, Liberia 2026, with officials describing the player as one of the continent’s leading prospects heading into the event, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Jimoh arrives in the spotlight after winning ScrabbleMania 3.0 in Monrovia, a performance that has prompted the Pan African Scrabble Association to call for greater backing for emerging African players.

PANASA president Adekoyejo Adegbesan said on Tuesday that Jimoh’s rise reflected a broader moment of opportunity for the sport across the continent.

“This is the moment. These players are peaking. If we support them now, the future of African scrabble is secure,” Adegbesan.

He added that Jimoh’s consistency throughout 2025 had marked him out as a potential continental champion, saying, “He has won almost everything there is to win this year. If he continues this way, nobody can stop him from becoming the next African champion.”

The African Scrabble Championship, billed as a gathering of Africa’s finest word competitors, is expected to attract around 150 players from 15 countries, with Monrovia set to host the continent’s flagship scrabble event.

Nations including Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Kenya, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Gambia, Zambia, South Africa, Mauritius, Tanzania, Botswana, Rwanda, Zimbabwe and hosts Liberia are due to participate.

Jimoh will not be the only Nigerian drawing attention, with his Gateway Scrabble Club teammate Oluwatimilehin Doko arriving as the defending champion, raising the prospect of a high profile intra club contest.

Players are scheduled to arrive from October 18, ahead of an opening ceremony on October 21, with matches running from October 22 to 25. The PANASA annual general meeting will also take place during the championship.