From Ikorodu to Times Square: Tunde Onakoya on Pain, Purpose & Breaking World Records Twice | Afropolitan Podcast

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What does it mean to turn pain into purpose—and purpose into global impact?

In this unforgettable episode of the Afropolitan Podcast, we sit down with Tunde Onakoya, the Nigerian chess master, movement builder, and two-time Guinness World Record breaker. From growing up in poverty in Lagos to leading a cultural revolution through Chess in Slums Africa, Tunde shares the full, raw story behind his meteoric rise—from the streets of Ikorodu to the bright lights of Times Square.

This isn’t just about chess.

It’s about:The emotional cost of reinvention when the world wants you to stay who you were

Fame, friendships, failure, and finding purpose in pain

Building global influence without losing your soul

What it takes to be an outlier—and why greatness always starts in small placesWhether you're a dreamer, builder, or just someone navigating your own season of becoming, this conversation will meet you where you are.

‍00:00 - Intro

‍02:09 - Grit, Purpose & Outliers

12:09 - Growing Up in Ikorodu

‍22:09 - Chess as a Tool for Reinvention

‍37:09 - The Crisis of Fame

‍47:09 - Breaking the World Record (Twice)

‍1:07:09 - Ferdinand’s Story

‍1:17:09 - Dating, Desires, and Private Love

‍1:27:09 - Rapid Fire: Books, Suya, and Legacy