Gaming could become one of Nigeria’s most significant future industries, with the country well positioned to capitalise on a global market that already generates more revenue than the film and music sectors combined, according to Yahaya Maikori, President of the Esports Federation of Nigeria.
“Gaming is the future of work,” Maikori told SiGMA. “The gaming industry is bigger than film and music put together, and we haven’t touched a fraction of what the opportunities are.” Maikori said Nigeria’s esports industry is poised for significant growth, driven by the country’s youthful population, improving digital infrastructure and increasing government support for the sector. He added that these factors are laying the groundwork for a competitive gaming ecosystem that could create jobs, attract investment and position Nigeria as a leading esports market in Africa.
Nigeria esports growth driven by a young population
According to Maikori, Nigeria’s demographic profile provides a natural foundation for esports expansion. “The Nigerian market is a youth market,” he said. “About 70 to 80 per cent are below 35. They’re all digital natives. They have their smartphones.”
He noted that esports competitions are already taking place across online communities, Discord servers and messaging platforms regardless of formal industry structures. “Those games are taking place whether you’re involved in them or not,” he said. “That is a people or participant-driven market.”
Rather than attempting to control grassroots gaming activity, Maikori believes the role of the Esports Federation of Nigeria is to professionalise the sector, create career pathways and support talent development.
“We’ve been able to create opportunities in game development, graphics, production and sports casting,” he said. “We’ve also been advocates in mobilising sponsorship, resources and infrastructure for the industry.”
A recent analysis of the African gaming industry found that Africa added an estimated 32 million new gamers in 2024 alone, helping the market reach more than $1.8 billion in annual value. Researchers noted that Africa’s gaming sector is growing at a rate around six times the global average, driven largely by mobile gaming adoption.
Government support gives Nigeria esports a head start
One of the most notable advantages for Nigeria esports is the level of institutional backing it receives. Maikori highlighted support from three separate federal ministries: the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy & Sports, the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy and the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy.
“Esports actually has its legs on three different federal ministries,” he said. “We’re in a position to mobilise lots of resources.”
The federation’s multi-ministry backing comes at a time when several African governments are increasingly recognising gaming and digital content creation as emerging economic sectors, with growing focus on regulation, investment, and talent development.
Nigeria’s growing focus on esports reflects a broader global trend. Esports has already been integrated into major multi-sport events such as the Asian Games, while countries across Asia and the Middle East are ramping up investment in competitive gaming infrastructure, talent pipelines, and ecosystem development.
Nigeria’s esports federation was formally recognised last year and is currently progressing through the country’s sporting framework. He also pointed to the Ministry of Communications’ 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, which includes game development as a key component and could help create a pipeline of future industry talent.
Regulatory questions remain for esports
Passed by the National Assembly, Nigeria’s proposed Central Gaming Bill aimed to repeal the National Lottery Act of 2005 and establish a centralised framework for all iGaming and remote gaming across state and international borders. However, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declined to sign the bill. The decision not to proceed with Nigeria’s proposed Central Gaming Bill has created new uncertainty around how gaming-related activities will be regulated at state level.
While esports is generally recognised as a game of skill rather than a game of chance, Maikori acknowledged there are still questions around how some authorities may seek to classify the sector. “Some of the regulators are saying they want to regulate esports,” he said. “But again, it’s going to be a hard sell.”
Regulatory uncertainty has become a recurring issue for esports organisations globally, particularly as policymakers attempt to adapt legacy gambling frameworks to emerging forms of competitive gaming.
He warned that different approaches across Nigeria’s 36 states could create regulatory complexity for tournament organisers and esports stakeholders. “Now we have 36 subnationals to deal with, and all of them will have their own ideas about how to regulate gaming as a whole.”
The future of African esports
Drawing comparisons with the rise of Nigeria’s music and film industries, Maikori argued that Africa’s esports future will ultimately be driven by entrepreneurs, creators and private-sector investment rather than government intervention. “If you look at music and film in Nigeria, the private sector took charge,” he said.
A recent Games for Change Africa report estimated the continent’s gaming market at around $2.1 billion and identified key development clusters in countries including Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa. The report also found that around 60 per cent of African gamers are under 18, highlighting strong long-term growth potential as this young audience matures. He believes esports is following a similar path and that patience will be required as the ecosystem matures. “Some industries grow organically. You cannot fast-track them.”
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