₦airaland Forum

Could you introduce yourself?

I’m the Chief Executive Officer of Sikirabu Africa Limited. The company is registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission. It was trademarked, copyrighted, and registered with the Design and Patent Agency.

I started it in 2021 to begin operations in producing Yoruba board games across the country. We’re breaking barriers with our Sikirabu game itself by inventing the game. It is pronounced Síkírá-bù.


How will you describe Síkírá-bù?

Síkírá-bù is a crossword board game that I invented to make people think in the Yoruba language. The board game is unique as it makes people place words together.

So, the idea of the crossword game is to put the letters of the alphabet into four words, either vertically or horizontally, on the game board.

How is what you studied contributing to your work?

Aside from the fact that I’m an inventor, I also graduated with the best grade possible in all of my academic courses. I’m a graduate with distinction from the Department of Yoruba Language in Ansarudeen College of Education in Isolo, Lagos.

Moreover, I graduated with a first-class honours in Linguistics Yoruba from the Department of Linguistics, African and Asian Studies.

Since my graduation, I’ve dedicated a number of years of my life to these studies. I’ve been using my education to contribute my own quota to the world of knowledge, especially in Yoruba. This is one of the reasons I also work with the video unit of PUNCH.

When did you establish your company?

Establishing my company was hinged on my hobbies. I love playing Scrabble. The idea has been with me almost from the time I started playing it, but it didn’t come to fruition until 2020.

I thought about the idea fully in 2020, but it materialised first when I registered the company in 2021. The whole idea of game boards for Yoruba started in that year, and it formed the basis of my company.


Have you played any other board games at competitive levels?

Yes. I was one of those who represented my department and faculty when I was in university. I have laurels for those games, which I still cherish till date. These medals and the memories that accompany them have become significant highlights of my life.

What other things are you passionate about apart from the invention of board games?

I also have a passion for anything that has to do with tradition. I’m passionate about the development of the Yoruba language and culture. I think that is where my strength lies.

It is what helps me showcase my talent, such as recitation of Yoruba eulogies. I know how to play with words in Yoruba, which often dazzles people.

What is the uniqueness of the Síkírá-bù as a game?

We call it Síkírá-bù, a Yoruba crossword board game, and not Yoruba scrabble because of its uniqueness and disparities from the other international scrabbles.


Did you share the idea with anyone before its inception?

When the idea came, the first person I reached out to was my lawyer. So, the lawyer gave me tips on how to go about it and everything. He thought of names that I could pick that would make it more interesting and marketable.

He let me know that the name the public will be familiar with is also an essential ingredient of the innovation. After many thoughts, we came up with one indigenous name — Síkírá-bù.

It is a proper noun in Yoruba that we are familiar with. Síkírá is a Yoruba name, while bù is anything that comes to your mind. There is a peculiarity to Síkírá-bù that is not in all other games I played in the past.

In Síkírá-bù, proper nouns are allowed. The Yoruba names of people can be found in Síkírá-bù. Everything that comes to your mind in Yoruba, be it the name of a person, animal, or thing, is there.

What other games have you invented?

We are taking it one at a time. We are still doing a lot of work on Síkírá-bù. From there, we can look at others like chess. Since I also play chess, we’ve been considering the Yoruba version of chess.


Was there any fear when the idea sat in your mind?

There were plenty of challenges and limitations when the idea first came. The fear I had was in terms of obstacles that could stand in my way of achieving it. The major fear was funding of the project.

I thought of creating a website and other digital tools to drive it. We have a website now, so we are currently online. The official website is an official channel for everything. The game can be ordered online.

Another limitation was fear about the ability to keep up with the pace of market demands, so what I did was to define my target audience, which are secondary school students.

Another point I considered was that some people might have attempted creating a game like this in the past, but couldn’t do it. I pondered on what might have stopped them, so I tried to solve this challenge.

Can you give an example of the challenge?

Instead of going to those schools and sharing with them individually, I just dealt directly with the government. So, I wrote a letter to the office of the Deputy Governor of Lagos State.


Consequently, he forwarded my letter to the Commissioner for Education in Lagos State and also the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board. They worked on it.

On Friday, May 15, 2026, we flagged it off in Lagos State. As a start, 2,052 copies were distributed to all the primary schools in Lagos State.

I learnt that there are 1,028 public primary schools in Lagos. So, two copies were distributed to each school. That makes it 2,052 copies. It was a sponsored effort.

The government sponsored it for the students. We did not pay for it at all. So, it was sponsored by Lagos State. It was documented, and the document was copyrighted.

What can you point to as your fulfilment with this project?

I’m happy that I have been able to work with the Lagos State Government on the project. I’m happy with the production of copies to reach young people.

Síkírá-bù has approvals from the Ministry of Education in Lagos State for both public and private schools. The innovation will help students play the games as well as pay attention to the language of their immediate environment, irrespective of their states of origin.


It serves as a game offering education and promoting language. Aside from Lagos, we’re in talks with Ogun State, and we have endorsements, especially from the Ministry of Tourism and Culture.

This means Síkírá-bù can be used in schools and cultural centres in Ogun State. We are trying to reach other states. All this makes me fulfilled.

My goal is to reach all Yoruba-speaking states in Nigeria. We are also going to take it overseas, but one step at a time.

What impact have you recorded with the innovation?

Our unique game board can actually accommodate up to four students. It has 2,052 copies distributed already. That’s more than one million students.

For me, that’s a very good impact. It makes students think in Yoruba, which is the indigenous language of their immediate environment, as I pointed out earlier. It is one of the best ways to preserve our future with the Yoruba language and culture.

That is exactly what we are seeing in our future. It is a tool for thinking and playing. It is something you can describe as learning with fun, especially at this time when many parents are unaware of the eroding Yoruba cultural values.


We are helping to build this from the grassroots. At the launch of the project, I was happy to see some students delighted to play.

What are the digital means to contribute to the significance of the board game?

We are creating awareness and working on how it can be downloaded online. This is where sponsorship comes into play. When we have sponsors to achieve this, we can bring this game online, so that everybody will be able to download the game and play it online anywhere they are in the world. We have talked to those who will develop the app, but it needs funding.

Is there a lesson for other young people thinking of innovations in the country?

The lesson for Nigerian youths is that we should always think out of the box. We should not let the story of those who tried and failed discourage us.

Rather, we should shun the limitations around us and embrace the possibilities that come with all projects.

What kind of support system did you receive to make this project a success?


It is at this point that I need to appreciate those who encouraged me to have this invention. I must mention the Managing Director of Punch Nigeria Limited, Mr Adeyeye Joseph. He has always been supportive.

I grew up in Mushin, but he told me I could do something meaningful with what I have. He groomed me to become what I am currently.

He has purchased several Síkírá-bù copies for the companies. Another person, Abdulamid Solade, also invested N4m in it.

He embraced the idea the very first time I told him. Other people also provided moral support.

shadrach77:
Mental slavery. Why not invent your own game instead of trying stealing another person's idea

shadrach77:
Mental slavery. Why not invent your own game instead of trying stealing another person's idea

esnbrutality:
They are tired of propaganda against IGBOs , now na scrabble be the real hustle.

Endinjustice:
For agbdo and ewedu logic.

PDPdestroyer:
Obidients feel threatened by anything that awakens Yoruba consciousness, why?

Amotolongbo:
PUNCH journalist and founder of Sikirabu Africa Limited, Shefiu Olabode, speaks with BIODUN BUSARI on the idea behind creating Yoruba board games



Invented Síkírá-bù To Make People Think In Yoruba — Shefiu Olabode by Amotolongbo(op): 6:08pm On May 24
PUNCH journalist and founder of Sikirabu Africa Limited, Shefiu Olabode, speaks with BIODUN BUSARI on the idea behind creating Yoruba board games

Could you introduce yourself?

I’m the Chief Executive Officer of Sikirabu Africa Limited. The company is registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission. It was trademarked, copyrighted, and registered with the Design and Patent Agency.

I started it in 2021 to begin operations in producing Yoruba board games across the country. We’re breaking barriers with our Sikirabu game itself by inventing the game. It is pronounced Síkírá-bù.


How will you describe Síkírá-bù?

Síkírá-bù is a crossword board game that I invented to make people think in the Yoruba language. The board game is unique as it makes people place words together.

So, the idea of the crossword game is to put the letters of the alphabet into four words, either vertically or horizontally, on the game board.

How is what you studied contributing to your work?

Aside from the fact that I’m an inventor, I also graduated with the best grade possible in all of my academic courses. I’m a graduate with distinction from the Department of Yoruba Language in Ansarudeen College of Education in Isolo, Lagos.

Moreover, I graduated with a first-class honours in Linguistics Yoruba from the Department of Linguistics, African and Asian Studies.

Since my graduation, I’ve dedicated a number of years of my life to these studies. I’ve been using my education to contribute my own quota to the world of knowledge, especially in Yoruba. This is one of the reasons I also work with the video unit of PUNCH.

When did you establish your company?

Establishing my company was hinged on my hobbies. I love playing Scrabble. The idea has been with me almost from the time I started playing it, but it didn’t come to fruition until 2020.

I thought about the idea fully in 2020, but it materialised first when I registered the company in 2021. The whole idea of game boards for Yoruba started in that year, and it formed the basis of my company.


Have you played any other board games at competitive levels?

Yes. I was one of those who represented my department and faculty when I was in university. I have laurels for those games, which I still cherish till date. These medals and the memories that accompany them have become significant highlights of my life.

What other things are you passionate about apart from the invention of board games?

I also have a passion for anything that has to do with tradition. I’m passionate about the development of the Yoruba language and culture. I think that is where my strength lies.

It is what helps me showcase my talent, such as recitation of Yoruba eulogies. I know how to play with words in Yoruba, which often dazzles people.

What is the uniqueness of the Síkírá-bù as a game?

We call it Síkírá-bù, a Yoruba crossword board game, and not Yoruba scrabble because of its uniqueness and disparities from the other international scrabbles.


Did you share the idea with anyone before its inception?

When the idea came, the first person I reached out to was my lawyer. So, the lawyer gave me tips on how to go about it and everything. He thought of names that I could pick that would make it more interesting and marketable.

He let me know that the name the public will be familiar with is also an essential ingredient of the innovation. After many thoughts, we came up with one indigenous name — Síkírá-bù.

It is a proper noun in Yoruba that we are familiar with. Síkírá is a Yoruba name, while bù is anything that comes to your mind. There is a peculiarity to Síkírá-bù that is not in all other games I played in the past.

In Síkírá-bù, proper nouns are allowed. The Yoruba names of people can be found in Síkírá-bù. Everything that comes to your mind in Yoruba, be it the name of a person, animal, or thing, is there.

What other games have you invented?

We are taking it one at a time. We are still doing a lot of work on Síkírá-bù. From there, we can look at others like chess. Since I also play chess, we’ve been considering the Yoruba version of chess.


Was there any fear when the idea sat in your mind?

There were plenty of challenges and limitations when the idea first came. The fear I had was in terms of obstacles that could stand in my way of achieving it. The major fear was funding of the project.

I thought of creating a website and other digital tools to drive it. We have a website now, so we are currently online. The official website is an official channel for everything. The game can be ordered online.

Another limitation was fear about the ability to keep up with the pace of market demands, so what I did was to define my target audience, which are secondary school students.

Another point I considered was that some people might have attempted creating a game like this in the past, but couldn’t do it. I pondered on what might have stopped them, so I tried to solve this challenge.

Can you give an example of the challenge?

Instead of going to those schools and sharing with them individually, I just dealt directly with the government. So, I wrote a letter to the office of the Deputy Governor of Lagos State.


Consequently, he forwarded my letter to the Commissioner for Education in Lagos State and also the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board. They worked on it.

On Friday, May 15, 2026, we flagged it off in Lagos State. As a start, 2,052 copies were distributed to all the primary schools in Lagos State.

I learnt that there are 1,028 public primary schools in Lagos. So, two copies were distributed to each school. That makes it 2,052 copies. It was a sponsored effort.

The government sponsored it for the students. We did not pay for it at all. So, it was sponsored by Lagos State. It was documented, and the document was copyrighted.

What can you point to as your fulfilment with this project?

I’m happy that I have been able to work with the Lagos State Government on the project. I’m happy with the production of copies to reach young people.

Síkírá-bù has approvals from the Ministry of Education in Lagos State for both public and private schools. The innovation will help students play the games as well as pay attention to the language of their immediate environment, irrespective of their states of origin.


It serves as a game offering education and promoting language. Aside from Lagos, we’re in talks with Ogun State, and we have endorsements, especially from the Ministry of Tourism and Culture.

This means Síkírá-bù can be used in schools and cultural centres in Ogun State. We are trying to reach other states. All this makes me fulfilled.

My goal is to reach all Yoruba-speaking states in Nigeria. We are also going to take it overseas, but one step at a time.

What impact have you recorded with the innovation?

Our unique game board can actually accommodate up to four students. It has 2,052 copies distributed already. That’s more than one million students.

For me, that’s a very good impact. It makes students think in Yoruba, which is the indigenous language of their immediate environment, as I pointed out earlier. It is one of the best ways to preserve our future with the Yoruba language and culture.

That is exactly what we are seeing in our future. It is a tool for thinking and playing. It is something you can describe as learning with fun, especially at this time when many parents are unaware of the eroding Yoruba cultural values.


We are helping to build this from the grassroots. At the launch of the project, I was happy to see some students delighted to play.

What are the digital means to contribute to the significance of the board game?

We are creating awareness and working on how it can be downloaded online. This is where sponsorship comes into play. When we have sponsors to achieve this, we can bring this game online, so that everybody will be able to download the game and play it online anywhere they are in the world. We have talked to those who will develop the app, but it needs funding.

Is there a lesson for other young people thinking of innovations in the country?

The lesson for Nigerian youths is that we should always think out of the box. We should not let the story of those who tried and failed discourage us.

Rather, we should shun the limitations around us and embrace the possibilities that come with all projects.

What kind of support system did you receive to make this project a success?


It is at this point that I need to appreciate those who encouraged me to have this invention. I must mention the Managing Director of Punch Nigeria Limited, Mr Adeyeye Joseph. He has always been supportive.

I grew up in Mushin, but he told me I could do something meaningful with what I have. He groomed me to become what I am currently.

He has purchased several Síkírá-bù copies for the companies. Another person, Abdulamid Solade, also invested N4m in it.

He embraced the idea the very first time I told him. Other people also provided moral support.

Biodun Busari
Biodun Busari is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with five years of experience reporting on human interest, crime, diaspora issues, and feature storytelling. He focuses on producing engaging, informative stories that enlighten the public and provide context on complex topics. Biodun’s work demonstrates hands-on newsroom experience and a strong commitment to accurate, purpose-driven journalism

https://punchng.com/i-invented-sikira-bu-to-make-people-think-in-yoruba-punch-journalist/?amp