President of the Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA), Adekoyejo Adegbesan, has expressed confidence that Nigeria has enough quality to defend its title at the 16th African Scrabble Championship scheduled for Monrovia, Liberia.

Adegbesan, popularly known as Sheikh, believes Nigeria’s impressive record in the continental competition puts the country in a strong position to retain its crown despite losing several players who have relocated abroad.

Nigeria has won 14 of the last 15 editions of the African Scrabble Championship, establishing itself as the dominant force in the sport on the continent. 

“From what I see here today, even though we’ve lost a lot of our players who have relocated outside the country, I still think we have enough to win in Africa,” Adegbesan said.

Despite his optimism, the PANASA president warned against underestimating other contenders, identifying Uganda and Kenya as Nigeria’s major challengers at the tournament.

“Uganda are good as well. Kenya also would participate and would compete,” he said, adding that Nigeria remained well equipped to defend its title. 

Adegbesan believes the contest for continental supremacy is likely to centre on the three countries, although Nigeria will enter the championship seeking to extend its remarkable record.

The 16th African Scrabble Championship is scheduled to run from October 22 to 25, 2026, in Monrovia, where some of the continent’s leading players will compete for individual and national honours. 

Beyond Nigeria’s prospects, Adegbesan praised Liberia’s preparations for the competition, expressing satisfaction with the support provided by the country’s Ministry of Sports to the national Scrabble association.

He said the ministry had assisted with preparations, including redesigning the championship banner and supporting organisational activities.

“Liberia is ready to host, and I think we’ll have the best tournament yet,” Adegbesan said. 

The championship is expected to provide another test of Nigeria’s depth as the country seeks to maintain its continental dominance amid growing competition from other African nations.

Meanwhile, PANASA has opened an additional entry route for players who missed selection through their respective national associations’ qualification processes.

In a statement dated October 9, the continental body said eligible players could still apply, provided their entries were submitted and endorsed by their national Scrabble associations or federations.

PANASA clarified that individual players cannot register independently under the arrangement. The registration fee is US$300 per player, the same rate applicable to diaspora players. 

Adegbesan, who has been involved in Scrabble since the 1990s, is also chairman of Gateway Scrabble Club in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, and immediate past chairman of the Ogun State Scrabble Association.

His confidence reflects Nigeria’s long-standing strength in the sport, although the performances of Uganda and Kenya could determine how difficult the title defence becomes in Monrovia.