Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges are prompting young people to explore new career paths, with many turning to video games as a source of income. These next-gen entrepreneurs are finding success by moving from gaming as a hobby to gaming as a profession, thanks to industry growth and global reach. According to expert Iyke Bede, many young Nigerians are building brands and reaching global audiences, creating economic opportunities through content creation.
The gaming industry has experienced a massive surge over the past decade due to technological advancements and high-speed internet. Now valued at $282 billion, this sector has grown globally, with platforms like Twitch, YouTube Gaming, Facebook Gaming, and TikTok as popular hubs for streamers. Each platform enables gamers to broadcast, interact, and grow communities, turning their passion into income. Notably, Twitch sees 140 million monthly users, with 30 million visiting daily. YouTube Gaming alone recorded 1.18 billion hours of content watched in the third quarter of 2022. Collectively, these platforms attract 1.2 billion global users, indicating strong demand for game streaming.
Monetizing Gaming: Diverse Revenue Streams for Gamers
Many Nigerian next-gen entrepreneurs are capitalizing on this demand by creating engaging content for popular games like Fortnite, League of Legends, and Call of Duty. To maximize income, they use multiple monetization methods, including subscriptions, donations, ad revenue, sponsorships, and coaching opportunities. Social media has accelerated this shift, as platforms like TikTok and YouTube encourage a community-based approach to content. As a result, gaming has become more than a hobby—it’s a viable profession that benefits both creators and viewers.
Nigerian youth are part of this global trend, creating fanbases and engaging audiences in ways that weren’t possible before. The local live streaming market, currently valued at $55.44 million, is expected to reach $74.11 million by 2029, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.98%. While this is modest compared to larger markets like China’s $2.5 billion, it reflects significant growth in local content creation and entrepreneurship.
Impactful Figures: Nigerian Gamers Leading the Way
Several notable Nigerian gamers are paving the way in this burgeoning industry. PlaywithTomide (Odusote David), Tactical Ceza (Okoawo Jonah), Khalamanja (Ayere Victor), and Queen of Venus (Oyesanya Tosin) are among those actively shaping this landscape. TikTok has proven especially popular for these streamers, offering a live gifting feature that allows fans to support creators directly. Ambassador roles with brands like Cade eSports and Zagg Energy Drink also highlight how top gamers are gaining recognition and turning gaming into a sustainable career.
At a recent TikTok gaming conference, Ayere shared, “The algorithm doesn’t choose a part of the country it sends your videos to. It is worldwide.” This global reach allows Nigerian gamers to collaborate internationally and create content that resonates worldwide.
Inspiring Change: New Pathways for Nigerian Youth
The success of Nigerian gamers is not only inspiring future content creators to join the digital industry but also influencing non-gamers. Their efforts are helping to break down negative cultural views on gaming and open up new avenues for employment and community involvement. As more Nigerian youth explore gaming, they are revolutionizing the country’s digital landscape, demonstrating that video games can indeed be a vehicle for economic empowerment and social change.
