By Joel Ajayi
As the curtain falls on what will be remembered as a landmark moment in Nigerian sports history, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who made the first-ever Esports Demonstration at the National Sports Festival a resounding success.
For the first time ever, Esports took center stage at the Festival. What was once considered a distant possibility has now become a powerful reality—witnessed, celebrated, and competed in by some of Nigeria’s brightest gaming talents.
We are deeply grateful to the individuals and institutions who not only embraced this moment but elevated it. What began with a modest prize pool of ₦2 million was generously increased to ₦10 million—a clear testament to the growing belief that Esports matters.
Our sincere appreciation goes to:
The Chairman of the National Sports Commission, who contributed ₦4 million
The Director General of the National Sports Commission, who contributed ₦3 million
The Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, who added ₦1 million
Their combined support transformed ambition into impact.
We also celebrate two outstanding champions:
John Okan, representing Lagos, who emerged victorious in the EAFC title, taking home ₦1.5 million
Shehu Mansur, representing the FCT, who claimed the top spot in Street Fighter, also winning ₦1.5 million
To both, and to every competitor who showed up with skill, passion, and hunger—thank you. You’ve made history.
But this is only the beginning. The Esports Federation is already working on a long-term sustainability and grassroots development strategy to ensure that what has been built here does not fade after the spotlight, but instead grows deeper roots. This plan will be unveiled in collaboration with our media partners and stakeholders in the coming weeks.
To the Federal Government of Nigeria, thank you for believing in innovation, youth potential, and the promise of a digital future. Your support is not only recognized—it is deeply appreciated.
To our friends in the media, we look forward to welcoming you to Lagos Games Week, kicking off on June 19th. There’s more to unveil, more to celebrate, and even more to build—together. It promises to be another bold chapter in the evolution of Nigeria’s video games landscape.
Nigeria has spoken. Esports is here—and it’s only going up from here.
