On Friday, the Lagos State Government and the French Government formalised a cooperation that provides the groundwork for the development of e-sport in Nigeria.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the French ambassador to Nigeria, Mrs. Emmanuelle Blatmann, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) allowing professional e-sports players in Lagos to participate on a real-time online community and make riches from the multi-billion dollar e-sports business.
In accordance with the bilateral agreement, the French partners would offer a high-quality infrastructure for online video gaming that would enable users in Lagos to transition from casual participants to competitive players in their preferred games across online leagues.
The local organisation of e-sports players reacted positively to the news, describing the relationship as long overdue.
E-sports are organised, competitive video games performed in real time and seen by millions of people worldwide.
Nigeria is estimated to have 42 million e-sports players, with Lagos having a rising number of casual and competitive video game players that spend money in order to compete online.
Through the MOU, according to Sanwo-Olu, Lagos would provide new avenues for the young, who are the primary participants in online gaming, to earn lawful incomes while fostering youth involvement.
He said: “Signing this MoU is the beginning of another long-lasting, mutually beneficial relationship between Lagos and France. We are delighted to be laying the foundation for the development of this industry and becoming the first city in this part of Africa to do it. 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.
“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. 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 Governor said that e-sports will also provide players with the chance to develop their information technology and creative talents.
Sanwo-Olu stated that the State Government, through the Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC), had established the Lagos State E-sports Association and embarked on consensus building among all e-sports stakeholders to forge a common front in building a vibrant and sustainable ecosystem in order to effectively explore and utilise the opportunities in the industry.
“It is really to ensure we can create the avenue and space for our smart and intelligent young people to tap into opportunities in the tech-driven industry and deepen their learning through engagement with their peers across the world,” Sanwo-Olu said.
Blatmann said that the MOU outlined the measures and policies that will enhance e-sports in the nation, stressing that Lagos became the first city in Africa to work with the French government.
The envoy said that the alliance will accelerate and redefine interaction with an increasing number of young gamers, and vowed that French investors were prepared to create the business with its Nigerian counterpart.
Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Hon. Segun Dawodu, said that the process to formalise the agreement began more than a year ago, assuring that the State Government will collaborate with the partners to control and improve the online gaming business.
Sidney Esiri (Dr. SID), a prominent e-sports player and hip-hop musician, referred to the agreement as the “right step,” remarking that e-sport was becoming a new source of income for the young. He lauded the Lagos Government and France for establishing the relationship to ensure the industry’s viability.