Business
THE Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, and the National Sports Commission, NSC, are collaborating to develop Nigeria’s e-sports ecosystem.
This collaboration was sequel to an agreement reached after a meeting between Idris Olurunbe, NCC chairman, and Bukola Olopade, director general of the NSC, in Abuja, last week. It will help Nigeria secure it’s place in the global digital sports economy.
The meeting zero in on a partnership to accelerate sports digitalisation and unlock opportunities in competitive gaming.
Olopade underscored the NCC’s willingness to exploit technology to drive sports development, observing that stronger collaboration would improve connectivity, attract sponsorship, and enhance Nigeria’s global competitiveness in e-sports.
He stressed that private sector involvement, especially through corporate social responsibility, would be essential in building a modern, innovation-driven sports ecosystem.
Additionally, Olopade opined that improved internet infrastructure and access to quality gaming facilities were critical for Nigerian athletes aiming to compete on the global stage.
Responding, Olorunbe underscored the importance of strong institutional backing, saying that e-sports as a natural extension of traditional sports with significant economic value.
According to him, the initiative extends beyond athletics, with implications for youth employment, digital innovation, and national branding.
He called for the development of gaming hubs, expanded broadband capacity, and enabling policies to harness Nigeria’s growing pool of digital talent.
Both agencies agreed to establish a joint technical working group tasked with developing a comprehensive roadmap for sports digitalisation. This will include structuring e-sports leagues and creating strategies to attract corporate investment into the sector.
The proposed NCC–NSC alliance is being viewed as the first coordinated effort between Nigeria’s telecommunications and sports regulators to build a sustainable digital sports economy and position the country as a major force in global e-sports.
A.I
April 20, 2026
Tags: Bukola Olopade Idris Olurunbe NCC Nigerian Communications Commission