Renowned public affairs commentator, Reno Omokri, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take decisive action against the rising prevalence of sports betting in Nigeria.
In a recent statement on his X account (formerly known as Twitter), Omokri urged the president to issue an Executive Order empowering the Nigerian Communications Commission to ban sports betting apps and revoke licenses of physical sports betting operators.
President Tinubu can immediately improve the economic conditions of most Nigerians and make the Naira grow by issuing an Executive Order authorising the Nigerian Communications Commission to ban sports betting apps from the App Store of any GSM Internet Service Provider in…
— Reno Omokri (@renoomokri) January 3, 2024
Omokri emphasized the detrimental impact of gambling on Nigerian youths, describing it as an epidemic that is not only causing social issues but also posing a threat to the national economy.
According to data from the National Lottery Trust Fund, Nigeria reportedly spends a staggering $1 billion daily on gambling, with the majority of these funds flowing out of the country to destinations such as Russia, South Africa, and Europe.
The former presidential aide highlighted that an average Nigerian spends $15 daily on various forms of gambling, contributing to the drain on the country’s financial resources.
Omokri argued that such economic sabotage hampers the stability of the naira and inhibits the nation’s economic growth.
Tapping into Tinubu’s background as an accountant, Omokri urged the president to recognize the potential long-term consequences of allowing the gambling epidemic to persist unchecked.
He pointed out that the desperation for funds to support gambling habits often leads to petty crimes among the youth, further emphasizing the national security threat posed by the issue.
In a related incident, Omokri shared the tragic story of a Nigerian man, Onoh Chukwuma Richard, who reportedly took his own life after losing N2.5 million to betting in Umuahia, Abia state.
The man’s demise underscores the severe consequences and pressures faced by individuals caught in the web of gambling addiction.
As the call for intervention gains momentum, it remains to be seen whether President Tinubu will take decisive measures to address the issue and curb the adverse effects of sports betting on Nigeria’s youth and economy.
