Sports

Esports in Nigeria Reaches New Heights—A Moment to Remember

Published

1 week ago

May 26, 2025

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.

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Sports

Paul Salami Fires Hat-Trick as U23 Side Defeats 10-Man Melbourne Sharks

Published

23 hours ago

June 3, 2025

The Gleamer

Jeph Akanji

Paul Salami’s Stunning Hat-Trick Sinks 10-Man Melbourne Sharks in U23 Showdown

Nigerian-born midfielder Paul Salami stole the show with a sensational hat-trick, leading his side to a dominant 3-0 victory over the Melbourne Sharks in Week 9 of the Australian U23 League.

The 21-year-old rising star opened the scoring in the 20th minute, calmly finishing off a swift counter-attack to put his team ahead. The momentum shifted further in their favor when Sharks defender Liam Mastos received a straight red card in the 40th minute for a reckless challenge, forcing the home side to play with 10 men.

Salami continued to exploit the numerical advantage with clinical precision. He netted his second goal in the 52nd minute, capping off a well-orchestrated team move, before sealing his hat-trick in the 75th minute with a composed finish that left the goalkeeper with no chance.

Operating with poise and creativity in midfield, Salami’s performance was a masterclass in attacking intelligence, control, and execution. His match-winning display not only earned him the match ball but also solidified his growing reputation as one of the most exciting young talents in the league.

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