12-year-old Nigerian chess champion granted asylum in US

Twelve-year-old Nigerian chess champion, Tanitoluwa Adewumi, and his family have been granted asylum by the government of the United States of America.

Adewumi, who rose to sudden stardom in 2019 for winning the New York state chess championship for his division, was living with his family in a homeless shelter.

The Adewumis, comprising Tanitoluwa, his parents, and his older brother, arrived in New York after fleeing Nigeria in 2017 due to fear of terror attacks from Boko Haram.

They had sought religious asylum after the family arrived in the country.

Washington Post reported Wednesday that the US officially granted the family asylum.

Asylum refers to protection or safety given by a government to people who have been forced to leave their own countries for their safety or because of war.

“We feel so relieved. Everybody is so happy,” said Tani’s father, Kayode Adewumi

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