Nigeria's Innovation Minister Calls for Local Gaming Tech

At the Enugu Gaming Conference 2026, Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, posed a critical question regarding the annual remittance of platform license fees, data feeds, and royalties abroad by Nigeria's gaming sector. He expressed uncertainty about the exact figures, prompting the industry to consider who owns the technology underpinning Nigeria's gaming economy.

Udeh's address, delivered by Prof Peter Ogbobe, Director-General of the Project Development Institute (PRODA), emphasized the importance of technology in the sector's growth. He argued that the focus should shift from merely expanding the gaming market to developing and commercializing technology within Nigeria.

Udeh pointed out that using foreign providers for gaming services may require technology transfer agreements registered with NOTAP, as unregistered agreements prevent remittance of fees and royalties through Nigerian banks. He highlighted NOTAP's role in tracking Nigeria's foreign technology expenditures.