In a groundbreaking event aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) hosted an international gaming conference that showcased the remarkable strides made in Nigeria’s lottery and gaming industry.
Held at the prestigious Eko Hotels and Suites, the conference attracted industry leaders, experts, and operators from around the world, converging to discuss the future landscape of gaming in Nigeria.
Under the visionary leadership of Mr. Lanre Gbajabiamila, NLRC’s Director General since 2018, the conference marked a pivotal moment in the industry’s evolution.
Gbajabiamila, in line with the government’s agenda, emphasized the need to create more opportunities for Nigerians and attract foreign investments to the gaming sector.
Government Support for Revenue Generation
The Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Mr. Zephaniah Jisalo, expressed ongoing efforts to support NLRC in generating over N2 billion annually from licenses and other businesses in the lottery and gaming sector.
This revenue is earmarked to contribute to infrastructure development, playing a crucial role in boosting economic growth in Nigeria.
Gaming Industry’s Role in Economic Growth
Gbajabiamila underscored the gaming industry’s pivotal role in economic growth, addressing unemployment, and elevating per capita income.
With the industry rapidly evolving due to technological advancements, he announced plans to establish a world-class online lottery university in collaboration with industry operators.
Transparency Through Central Monitoring System (CMS)
An important initiative discussed at the conference was the implementation of the Central Monitoring System (CMS) to ensure transparency in the gaming sector.
Gbajabiamila explained that the CMS would provide accurate data on transactions, preventing revenue leakages and enhancing efforts to curb under-age gaming.
International Recognition and Stakeholder Commendation
Stakeholders from the United States, United Kingdom, Asia, Botswana, and Ghana praised NLRC for elevating the gaming conference to international standards.
The event addressed responsible gaming, emphasizing credibility to minimize negative impacts on participants.
Commending NLRC’s leadership, Minister Jisalo announced the federal government’s commitment to making the international conference an annual event.
The Director General of the National Lottery Authority of Ghana praised the conference as the best ever staged in Africa, acknowledging Nigeria’s leading role in the gaming industry.
A Bright Future for Nigeria’s Lottery Industry
With the positive momentum generated by the conference, it is evident that Nigeria’s lottery industry is on track to becoming a major revenue source, significantly contributing to poverty reduction and addressing high unemployment in the country.
As the nation continues to embrace the global gaming community, the prospects for a prosperous and dynamic future for the Nigerian gaming industry are brighter than ever.
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