Owolabi’s vision extends beyond Riyadh. He sees the Olympic Esports Games as a catalyst for long-term development in the Nigerian Esports scene. He also emphasises on leveraging social media and local events to build excitement and support for the Nigerian contingent, “as take it or leave it, they will leave as just gamers/players but will […]
Owolabi’s vision extends beyond Riyadh. He sees the Olympic Esports Games as a catalyst for long-term development in the Nigerian Esports scene.
He also emphasises on leveraging social media and local events to build excitement and support for the Nigerian contingent, “as take it or leave it, they will leave as just gamers/players but will return as Olympians, adding, “Hosting pre-Olympic tournaments to test and refine team strategies will also go a long way in boosting confidence and building capacity for the individuals and teams.”
The Nigerian Esports community is abuzz with anticipation of the inaugural Olympic Esports Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia later this year.
Among the voices championing Nigeria’s prospects on this grand stage is Sayo Owolabi, an advocate and strategist in the Esports ecosystem.
He emphasises on collaborations with corporate sponsors and technology companies to provide financial and logistical support.
“Nigeria has a wealth of talent,” Owolabi asserts. “What we need is strategic investment in infrastructure, training programmes, and global partnerships to unlock our potential on the world stage.”
Owolabi’s call to action is clear: for Nigeria to succeed, stakeholders across the board—government, especially at the federal level, “players, sponsors, and fans—must unite. With the right mix of talent, preparation, and support, Nigeria has the potential not only to participate but also to excel on this historic stage.”
As the clock ticks closer to the Olympic Esports Games, one thing is certain: with visionaries like Owolabi leading the charge, Nigeria’s Esports future is brighter than ever.
“Our performance in Riyadh will set the tone for how the world perceives Nigerian Esports,” he explains. “It’s about proving that we can compete with the best and building a legacy that inspires future generations.”
Esports in Nigeria has grown significantly over the past decade, transitioning from grassroots tournaments to larger, internationally recognised events. Despite these strides, the industry faces challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, limited sponsorships, and a lack of structured talent pipelines. Yet, Owolabi sees these hurdles as opportunities for growth and innovation.
According to him, there should be robust talent scouting initiative to identify exceptional players across various Esports titles. This will be aided by the understanding of the likely game titles that will feature at the Games which is well understood by Owolabi.
With his unmatched expertise and a deep understanding of the global Esports landscape as the Secretary General of the Africa Esports Development Federation (AEDF), Owolabi has emerged as a key figure envisioning a pathway for Nigeria to achieve monumental success in Riyadh.
“This is a non-negotiable factor, especially when one considers the level of physical and digital infrastructure required for the Virtual Pillar of the Esports titles”, says Owolabi who further said that, “both endemic and non-endemic brand will come to play here as they have both business and marketing benefits.”
The Olympic Esports Games represent a unique opportunity for Nigerian Esports to showcase its talent and resilience. Owolabi emphasises the importance of strategic preparation on multiple fronts.
