Nigeria Seeks to Establish Itself as Africa’s Esports Hub
Olawale Aji Honkan in Abuja
The Esports Federation of Nigeria (EFN) has submitted an official proposal to host the 2028 Esports Nations Cup (ENC), one of the most esteemed international tournaments in the esports arena. This ambitious move is part of Nigeria’s strategic initiative to position itself as the esports capital of Africa.
Competitive gaming has emerged as a formidable cultural, technological, and economic phenomenon. With a global audience exceeding 3.3 billion gamers, esports is increasingly rivaling traditional sports in terms of reach and participation. Nigeria, bolstered by its youthful demographic, a rapidly growing digital economy, and a dynamic creative sector, is poised to play a pivotal role in this global transformation.
Leading the bid is EFN President Yahaya Maikoli, who will coordinate efforts with Bid Committee Chair Ikechukwu Okoye and Ifeanyi Elmeziem, the federation’s Communications and Media Director. Their collective efforts signal a clear intention: to harness the potential of esports for broader societal benefits.
Maikoli has emphasized that this initiative transcends sports alone, encompassing job creation, youth empowerment, tourism, and technology. He envisions the bid as a means to firmly establish Nigeria on the global digital map.
A Vision of Transformation in Esports
Reiterating this vision, Bid Committee Chairman Ikechukwu Okoye asserted that Nigeria is ready to host the esports community on a global stage. He expressed confidence in the country’s talent pool, infrastructure, and organizational capabilities. Okoye aims to deliver an unparalleled experience that will raise the bar for esports in Africa.
The Esports Nations Cup, organized by the Esports World Cup Foundation, focuses on fostering national pride through competitive gaming. The inaugural event is set to take place in Riyadh in 2026 and will feature over 2,000 players from more than 100 nations competing in 16 major titles. Following this initial launch, the ENC will rotate internationally beginning in 2028, presenting Nigeria with the opportunity to make history as the first African nation to host the event.
Economic Prospects and Employment Opportunities
The EFN estimates that hosting this month-long global tournament could yield considerable economic benefits for Nigeria. The event is anticipated to draw thousands of international visitors—players, coaches, media personnel, investors, and fans—bringing significant excitement to sectors such as tourism, hospitality, aviation, retail, and entertainment.
In addition to its tourism impact, the Esports Nations Cup is projected to create thousands of jobs across various industries, including event production, broadcasting, digital media, security, logistics, marketing, and technology. For Nigeria’s burgeoning youth population, this represents a crucial entry point into one of the fastest-growing sectors in the global economy.
Alignment with National Development Goals
The bid also aligns seamlessly with Nigeria’s broader national development goals, which focus on digital transformation, youth empowerment, expansion of the creative economy, and fostering international technology partnerships. The EFN believes that with robust government backing and cross-sector collaboration, Nigeria is uniquely positioned to meet the demands of hosting this prestigious event.
