On the 1st of May,2024, The Omniverse Africa, a gaming company that supports gaming, awarded a total of N5 million to 37 winners of its Gaming Tournament, spanning seven different games.
During the prize-giving ceremony in Lagos, Mr. Charles Emembolu, the Co-convener of The Omniverse Africa, stated that the N5 million prize was intended to celebrate, appreciate, and encourage those involved in the gaming sector.
Emembolu explained that the e-sports tournament, which began in February, was designed to motivate people to consider gaming as a professional path, highlighting its intellectual demands.
According to him, gaming is driven by technology and innovation, which is why The Omniverse Africa is committed to supporting the industry.
He noted that over 20,000 people registered for the tournament, with 37 emerging as winners.
“Gaming is a profession, a sport, and a skill, and those skills are rewarded,” Emembolu said. “Beyond the monetary prizes, players also earn while playing through coins, tokens, and various other benefits.”
He emphasized the industry’s impact on job creation, noting that the gaming sector grew from about $100 million post-COVID in 2021 to over $400 million annually last year. “It’s a rapidly growing sector that many may not fully recognize,” he added.
Emembolu also mentioned that the gaming industry contributes to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) through Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) attracted by gaming companies.
He encouraged parents not to discourage their children from gaming, as it is not only intellectually stimulating and educational but also a lucrative profession.
“Gaming can be addictive, but it is also a profession. With the right balance, it can be very valuable. We are committed to continuing our support for this industry,” Emembolu concluded.
Mr. Kunmi Adenipebi, the Chief Executive Officer of Game Evolution Technologies, also spoke at the event. He described gamers as highly intelligent individuals and gaming as one of the world’s largest entertainment and sports industries.
Adenipebi emphasized the importance of Nigeria aligning with this growing industry, noting the rapid growth of over a million gamers in the mobile gaming sector between 2019 and 2024.
He projected a bright future for e-sports in Nigeria, with increasing investments from private industries in e-sports tournaments, teams, and coaching initiatives.
“We see a significant career opportunity in the e-sports industry for the next generation of Nigerian youth,” Adenipebi said. “For professional gamers, 90 percent of those we’ve observed in recent years are excelling academically. Gaming truly is for smart people.”
He highlighted that for younger gamers, especially those in primary and secondary schools, the industry ensures they perform well academically before becoming involved.
“While we can’t control when or how much they play, we prioritize education. We’ve introduced ‘gamification’ in education, incorporating games to help with subjects like mathematics, English, geography, and meteorology, making learning more engaging.”
Adenipebi concluded by stressing the importance of balancing gaming with education, ensuring that both are valued and integrated effectively.