Nigeria’s Gaming Industry Gets Boost With New Lagos Facility

A video game development and e-sports training hub by Gamr Africa has been unveiled in Lagos to train 5,000 participants in its first year and support the growth of the country’s growing gaming industry.

The facility, which was launched in collaboration with the French Embassy and the University of Lagos (UNILAG), was designed to equip young Nigerians with essential skills to thrive in the global gaming sector.

The initiative seeks to position the country as a key player in the multi-billion dollar digital entertainment sector by providing training for game developers, designers and esports entrepreneurs.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO), GamrLab, Eniola Edun, who spoke during the unveiling, said there was an urgent need for education and awareness to drive the growth of Nigeria’s video game sector.

She noted that misconceptions about the industry, often confused with betting, has hindered its development, even among policymakers and industry leaders.

According to her, beyond funding and infrastructure, the primary challenge was a lack of understanding of the gaming industry’s economic potential.

Edun noted that driving the growth and sustainability of the industry in Nigeria required the federal government’s support in terms of funding, education and infrastructure, adding that knowledge of the industry was critical to the nation’s economy.

She also noted that in global markets, video gaming has produced millionaires both from competitive play and game development yet in Nigeria, the industry remains largely overlooked; and despite the support of private and international investors in advancing the industry, local institutions and government bodies are yet to provide the same level of support despite multiple engagements.

The French Embassy Regional Audiovisual Attaché, Christophe Pecot, said the decision to support GamrLab was driven by a strong belief in its ability to shape the future of esports and video game development in Nigeria.

According to him, the initiative is seen as a vital step towards equipping students and aspiring professionals with the necessary skills to thrive in the industry create more opportunities for young creatives and contribute to the long-term growth of the gaming sector.

Meanwhile, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Development Services, UNILAG, Prof. Ayodele Atsenuwa, commended the initiative for bridging the gap between technology, creativity and business.

Atsenuwa, who was represented by the Acting Director of the Innovation and Technology Management Office in UNILAG, Olayinka Adewunmi, said that the hub would foster collaboration between disciplines like engineering, humanities and social sciences, allowing students transition from being consumers of video games to its creators.

She added that the university was open to integrating gaming into its curriculum and exploring collaborations with GamrLab to support digital skills development.