Joel Ajayi 

The Chief Operating Officer of Esports Nigeria, Damilola Pedro, has expressed that the next generation of Nigerian exports may not only be footballers, but also gamers, game developers, and Esports entrepreneurs.

Speaking in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Saturday, Pedro emphasized the growing influence and potential of Esports in Nigeria.

“Esports is taking the stage—and so is the voice of an entire generation that has long been ignored, misunderstood, and underestimated,” he said.
“For decades, our youth have been told to put down the game controllers and ‘do something serious’ with their lives. Today, we’re here to say: they already are. The numbers don’t lie. Let’s talk facts.”

Pedro highlighted that the global video game industry is now worth over $180 billion—larger than the film and music industries combined. With over 3.3 billion gamers worldwide, Africa is projected to become the fastest-growing gaming population globally, with Nigeria expected to be at the forefront, projected to have one of the highest concentrations of gamers on the continent—and potentially the third largest globally.

“In 2023 alone, Esports tournaments awarded over $350 million in prize money,” he stated. “The Esports ecosystem now includes not only players, but also analysts, broadcasters, coaches, event producers, developers, marketers, and content creators.”

With over 70% of Nigeria’s population under 30, Pedro believes the country is perfectly positioned to harness this momentum.
“We are not just ripe for this moment—we are the movement,” he asserted. “This is the future of work.”

He described Esports as a multi-dimensional discipline that demands data analysis, strategic thinking, communication skills, leadership, and performance under pressure. At its core, he noted, Esports represents digital literacy at full throttle—precisely the kind of skill set the 21st-century economy demands.

“At a time when unemployment is rising and youth potential is either exported or wasted, we hold in our hands an industry that can educate, employ, and empower—without relying on a single drop of oil.”

“This demonstration is more than just a showcase—it is a validation,” he said. “Validation that a controller can be a tool for excellence. That gaming is not a phase, but a profession. That the next generation of Nigerian exports will include not just footballers, but also gamers, developers, and digital entrepreneurs.”

He concluded with a call to action:“We are ready for the Esports World Cup. We are coming for the Esports Olympics. More importantly, we are ready to lead Africa into a new era of digital competitiveness.

This is our call to the media, the nation, our journalists, storytellers, and cultural gatekeepers—we need you. Not just to cover this, but to help the nation understand it. Because how you report this moment will shape how millions of parents and young people view the future.”

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