University of Ibadan Enjoys First-ever Esports Event with Synergy’25

Nexal Gaming Company and Comic Con Ibadan made history on June 14, 2025, by hosting the university’s first-ever Esports tournament, Synergy’25. The event, tied to the annual Seals Cup football competition, brought together gamers, anime fans, and competitive players for a five-day celebration of gaming culture, complete with high-stakes tournaments, industry networking, and a grand finale that drew a packed crowd.

The Seals Cup is a football competition held yearly among departments and organised by the Student Union body through the Sports Secretary. It has successfully organised seven editions.

Themed ‘Synergy!’, it captured the spirit of both camaraderie and sportsmanship that defined the hybrid of anime culture and peak gaming that the attendees had anticipated for months.

A record Comic Con Ibadan

Comic Con Ibadan became the second anime convention to hold three consecutive editions, following in the footsteps of Comic Con Lagos, which has been held for 13 years. The convener of Comic Con Ibadan, Adebayo Erivic, was pleased to see the event continue for three years straight.

He took to social media to express his feelings about the event.

“Why today, why not yesterday?” he said, referring to the rain while speaking to his mum, his number one fan. He reflected on the challenges posed by the weather and celebrated the event’s success despite the major setback.

Nexal Gaming’s triumph

Nexal Gaming took the reins of the tournament’s competitive side, organising a three-day qualifier that drew 16 faculties into the fray. The turnout exceeded expectations, with over 900 students participating in the event and more than 600 signing up to compete. For a company focused on community-building, the overwhelming participation marked a clear victory.

Synergy’25!

Synergy was a five-day event starting on June 10, 2025. Qualifiers for the games included the Faculty of Technology and the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, which selected their strongest players through a series of battles. Notably, the EAFC player from the Faculty of Technology was a force to be reckoned with.

June 12 marked the closing day of the qualifiers and the rally. The rally was held to raise awareness about esports and inform the public about the grand finale. June 13 was also significant in educating and shaping people’s perspectives on esports—an ‘educational day’ where attendees learned about career opportunities in the esports space.

The grand finale: A night of upsets and triumphs

On June 14, 2025, Trenchard Hall hosted Synergy’25’s climactic finale—a fitting venue for an event of such scale. Although rain threatened early, organisers welcomed it as a good omen, ensuring that nothing dampened the evening’s energy.

The hall buzzed with the intensity of a Champions League final, packed with anime enthusiasts, comic fans, and competitive gamers alike. Independent comic publishers scouted talent, offering internships to UI artists, while industry figures like Michael (Comic Republic) and Leslie (Gondu Interactive) added prestige.

The main stage featured thrilling esports finals, with Free Fire kicking off the action with a stunning underdog victory in a best-of-three upset, followed by Call of Duty Mobile, Chess, eFootball, and EAFC. The Faculty of Technology’s EAFC star silenced doubters, claiming the title with a performance that justified his pre-tournament hype.

Post-Synergy

The audience was pleased with the event. The Sports Secretary of the University of Ibadan, Victor Kolawole, stated that the event exceeded his expectations. Based on feedback received from fans of both anime and gaming, they anticipate another edition—a feat Nexal Gaming looks forward to matching and exceeding.