ESports makes debut at 2024 NSG

Posted : 26 May 2025

Esports made a historic debut on Saturday as a demonstration sport at the ongoing 22nd National Sports Festival (NSF), tagged ‘Gateway Games’, in Ogun.

The fast-growing sport, valued at $180 billion globally, was showcased at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena.

The Chief Operating Officer of the Nigeria Esports Federation, Damilola Pedro, described the feat at the NSF as a bold step towards developing the sport in Nigeria.

She told journalists that the sport had the potential to engage youth and contribute to the socio-economic development of the nation.

“Today, at the National Sports Festival Gateway Games 2024, we are not just adding another game — we are making a very bold statement.

“Esports is taking the stage. With it comes the voice of an entire generation that has long been ignored, misunderstood, and underestimated.

“Because numbers don’t lie, let me set the facts straight: the video game industry is worth over $180 billion — larger than the film and music industries combined,” she said.

Pedro noted that the gaming industry has more than 3.3 billion players worldwide and emphasized that Nigeria must begin to establish structures to compete globally.

“In 2023 alone, esports tournaments paid out over $350 million in prize money.

“Nigeria, with over 70 percent of its population under the age of 30, is not just ripe for this moment — we are the movement.

“Esports is not just gaming; it is strategy, communication, leadership, and performance under pressure,” she explained.

Pedro stressed that at a time of rising unemployment, the esports industry presents a new frontier for employment, education, and empowerment.

She expressed appreciation to the leadership of the National Sports Commission (NSC) for embracing innovation and supporting the inclusion of esports in the NSF.

Pedro also appealed to the media to join the Federation in promoting the right narrative for esports to foster better public understanding and acceptance.

Earlier, the President of the Nigeria Esports Federation, Messiah Makori, said the sport’s debut at the NSF marked the beginning of greater achievements in the country.

The Nigeria Esports Federation was officially inaugurated by the NSC in February, with a mandate to positively empower Nigerian youth through digital gaming.

With the debut of esports at the festival, the sport is now better positioned to raise awareness, promote youth empowerment, and foster global economic participation.

ESports makes debut at 2024 NSG

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