ESports to Drive Nigeria’s New Sports Economy – Damilola Pedro

The Nigeria Esports Federation is poised to revolutionize the country’s sports economy and create massive employment opportunities, according to Damilola Pedro, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the federation.

Speaking at the eSports demonstration events during the 22nd National Sports Festival, Gateway Games 2024, in Abeokuta, Pedro highlighted the vast potential of eSports to drive economic growth.

Pedro emphasized that the video game industry is worth over $180 billion, surpassing the film and music industries combined.

With over 3.3 billion gamers globally, Africa is projected to house the fastest-growing gaming population, and Nigeria is expected to have the highest number of gamers in Africa and the world by 2027.

The COO stressed that eSports can employ, educate, and empower Nigeria’s youth without relying on traditional industries.

“At a time when unemployment is rising, and youth potential is being exported or wasted, we have in our hands an industry that can employ, educate, empower, without needing a single drop of oil,” Pedro said.

Pedro urged the media to partner with the federation to promote the importance of eSports and its potential to shape the nation’s understanding of the industry.

She also called on stakeholders to join the movement, emphasizing that “this is not a hobby, this is a revolution.

“The COO expressed gratitude to the Federal Government, the National Sports Commission, and its leadership for their visionary support of eSports.

“We thank the leadership of the National Sports Commission, especially the Director-General of Sports, who has continuously championed our cause and continuously been our biggest salesman,” Pedro said.

The President of the eSports Federation of Nigeria, Yahaya Maikori, echoed Pedro’s sentiments, stating that the federation is proud to be part of the Sports Festival and confident that it will mark the beginning of greater achievements for the country’s sports industry.