Doko dedicates stunning World Championship run to Adegbesan as Nigeria reclaims global scrabble glory

By Maxwell Kumoye who was in Accra 

 

Oluwatimilehin Doko, Africa’s brightest Scrabble mind and Nigeria’s standout star at the 2025 WESPAC in Accra, has dedicated his phenomenal performance to one man, Adekoyejo Adegbesan, Chairman of the Ogun State Scrabble Association and President of the Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA).

Fresh off a breathtaking run that saw him finish 5th in the world, the West African Champion and African Scrabble King revealed that Adegbesan was the driving force behind his journey to Accra.

“My trip to Ghana and the entire preparation, behind it wouldn’t have been possible without Mr. Adegbesan,” Doko said. 

“He has been incredibly supportive and helpful since I joined the Ogun State Scrabble Association and the Gateway Scrabble Club. This outing is for him.”

The soft spoken Doko also credited former NSF President Engineer Olobatoke Aka and national coach Anthony Ikolo for playing vital roles in shaping his young but glittering career.

Oluwatimilehin Doko, a pharmacist, also had some sweet words for his teammates, “They all happened,” he said.

But in Accra, Doko’s brilliance spoke for itself.

With 21 wins from 32 games and a fierce +1395 spread, the 25-year-old came within touching distance of the grand finale, finishing as the highest-ranked African player at the championship. 

His performance helped fuel Nigeria’s dramatic reclaiming of the Best Country title, ripping it away from the United States and leading the royal, energetic Green and White to a thunderous return to global dominance.

“It’s an honour to be part of the team that came to Accra and ruled the world,” Doko said. “I’m thrilled we were able to dethrone the USA and bring the Best Country crown back home.”

Team Nigeria amassed 350 wins, a massive +8975 spread, and a commanding 54.7% win rate, outclassing hosts Ghana and Kenya in a championship hailed as the best-organized in WESPAC history, thanks in no small part to Adegbesan’s leadership on the Main Organizing Committee.

For Doko, already a National Sports Festival gold medallist and one of Africa’s sharpest tactical minds, Accra marked another milestone. And in the moment of triumph, he chose to look back with gratitude.

“This performance is dedicated to Mr. Adegbesan,” he said firmly. “His belief in me made this possible.”

Under the Accra lights, Doko shone. But behind his rise stood a mentor who made the journey possible.

And together, they helped lift Nigeria back to the very top of the Scrabble world.