Tunde Onakoya reveals deeper meaning of signature fila cap
Tunde Onakoya
Abdullateef Fowewe
Nigerian chess champion and founder of Chess in Slums Africa, Tunde Onakoya, has demystified his iconic fila cap, revealing it as far more than a fashion statement or branding gimmick.
In a candid post on X, Onakoya explained how the traditional cap has become integral to his public persona.
“I have made it a separation of my identities — just Tunde without the fila, Tunde Onakoya with the fila,” he wrote, highlighting how people often fail to recognise him without it.
Onakoya emphasised that longtime followers know the “much more meaningful story” behind the accessory.
He described it as a shared symbol with the children he teaches through Chess in Slums, representing purpose, connection, and the initiative’s transformative journey from urban slums to global chess stages.
The fila, a staple in Yoruba culture, underscores Onakoya’s roots and his mission to empower underprivileged youth through the game of kings.
