By Nigeria’s sports sector took a bold step forward with the official inauguration of the Nigeria E-Sports Federation in Abuja yesterday. The event marked a new chapter for digital gaming in the country, with the chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Malam Shehu Dikko, highlighting the industry’s power to boost Nigeria’s GDP.
Dikko expressed his excitement over the creation of the federation, urging its board members to focus on empowering Nigerian youth through e-sports. He revealed that at least 46 million Nigerians are already actively involved in the digital gaming scene.
Speaking after the ceremony, Hon. Bukola Olopade, director general of the National Sports Commission, praised the move, calling it a win for Nigeria’s sports development. He stressed that e-sports can engage millions of young Nigerians while providing economic and career opportunities.
“Today, I must congratulate all of us in Nigeria, particularly the stakeholders in sports. E-Sports is a platform that energizes our young people and encourages their ability to thrive in the digital space,” Olopade said.
The newly formed federation will focus on organizing tournaments, creating opportunities for Nigerian gamers to compete internationally, and fostering digital literacy through gaming.
With e-sports growing rapidly across the globe, Nigeria’s move to formalize the sector signals a shift in how the country views sports — embracing both physical and digital arenas to empower its next generation.
