NUGA, Gamr Forge Partnership to Elevate Esports in Nigerian Universities

By Olamide Michael

At a recent groundbreaking event, the Nigerian Universities Games Association (NUGA) entered into a strategic working relationship with GAMR Tech Solutions Limited to revolutionise the esports and video game industry within Nigerian universities.

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) heralds the beginning of an innovative collaboration that seeks to nurture esports talent, organise the annual top-tier inter-university games and develop related educational programmes across the nation’s higher institutions.

Gamr’s Head of Partnerships, Damilola Pedro, explained that this unique partnership will position her organisation to deliver unparalleled eSports experiences and tap into youth’s immense potential during the annual varsity games and beyond.

Pedro said, “With the establishment of cutting-edge game labs in our universities, we’re paving the way for the next generation of African gaming industry professionals. From game development and design to media, production, and project management, we’re cultivating a holistic ecosystem that will elevate our national talent to global stages. This alliance is more than just a partnership; it’s a commitment to nurturing the leaders and innovators who will drive the future of the gaming industry in Africa.”

GAMR will serve as the exclusive partner for NUGA, managing and executing esports activities and providing technical consultancy. This symbiotic relationship extends to utilising NUGA’s extensive university network to promote eSports initiatives.

“We’re not just investing in games. We’re investing in our students’ future. Through collaborative efforts in education and training initiatives, we’re setting the stage for Nigeria to become a formidable force in the global gaming scene,” said the Acting Secretary General of NUGA, Chidiebere Ezeani.

Key highlights of the partnership include exclusive partnership (GAMR becomes the sole partner for NUGA in esports endeavours), educational initiatives (joint development of a game design curriculum and establishment of gaming labs in selected Nigerian universities), talent development (annual industry placements for students and the formation of university eSports teams), and scholarship opportunities (esports tournament winnings to fund educational scholarships).

Both parties believe that this partnership will stimulate growth in the Nigerian Gaming industry and contribute significantly to educational advancement through scholarships and international exposure for students.