The 12-year-old boy chess prodigy, Tanitoluwa Adewumi and his parents who fled Nigeria over terrorism launched by Boko Haram fighters have been granted asylum in the United States, Washington Post reports.
Adewumi rose to sudden stardom at age 8 for his striking chess skills. He beat 73 opponents and clinched the New York state chess championship for his division. At the time, in 2019, he was living with his family in a homeless shelter.
The chess champion had moved to New York from Nigeria in 2017, seeking religious asylum after the family, devoutly Christian, was threatened by the terrorist group Boko Haram and forced to flee their country.
Having come to the limelight for breaking into the championship and being named a National Master with the current title of FIDE Master, a prestigious designation awarded by the international chess governing body, he emerged as a global chess idol.
“It feels amazing because it’s been such a long journey. I’m just grateful that we’ve gotten this opportunity,” said Tani.
“We feel so relieved,” said Tani’s father, Kayode Adewumi. “Everybody is so happy.”
