Tanitoluwa Adewumi, the 12-year-old Nigerian boy who became an internet sensation in 2019 after taking home the title of New York State Chess Champion in his division has been given a new lease of life in the US.
In this new Adewumi, and his family have been given asylum in the United States. According to reports, Adewumi was living with his family in a homeless shelter prior to the US granting him refuge. Adewumi shot to fame in 2019 after winning the New York State Chess Championship in his division.
Tanitoluwa, his parents, and his older brother, collectively known as the Adewumis, fled Nigeria in 2017 out of concern for Boko Haram terrorist threats.
They eventually made their way to New York. After the family had arrived in the nation, they had applied for religious asylum.
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.