Lagos State agog as Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu achieves yet another monumental feat

There is massive excitement in Lagos State as Lagosians playing video games can now compete in their games of choice across online leagues, and earn lots of money from the multi-billion dollar industry.

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and France’s Amb. Emmanuelle Blatmann on Friday signed an agreement that will set the pace for such e-sports development in Nigeria and Africa.

“We are building something new, fresh and organic which will grow and uplift our youths in the IT world. This is the essence of this collaboration and the time is right to give our young people a new lease of life in the e-sports industry,” he said in a press release his media aide Gbenga Akosile sent to the National Daily Friday.

According to him, there is an estimate of 42 million e-sports players in Nigeria, and Lagos boasts of a growing population of casual and competitive players who invest resources to play.

“Our enthusiasm is raised because, aside from the money to be earned from the industry, there would be skills and knowledge to be shared and transferred among our citizens taking part in the online sports,” the governor said.

“Technology, innovation and creativity are part of things we are committing great investment into in order to improve youth engagement. It is our belief that all the players will get to see the benefit of having this partnership between the two Governments.”

The Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC) has established the Lagos State E-sports Association to bring together all the e-sports stakeholders, and build a vibrant and sustainable ecosystem.

Blatmann said the MoU contained the actions and policy roadmap that would strengthen e-sports in the country, noting that Lagos became the first city to be partnered by the French Government in Africa.

According to her, the partnership would propel and redefine engagement with a growing number of youth gamers, pledging that French investors are ready to build the industry with their Nigerian counterpart.

Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Hon. Segun Dawodu, disclosed that the journey to seal the partnership started over a year ago. He promised the state would work with the partners to regulate the online gaming industry and make it efficient.

A top e-sports player and popular Hip-hop artiste, Sidney Esiri (Dr. SID), praised the state government and described the partnership as the “right step” that will enable the youth to earn legitimate money.