The University of Lagos (UNILAG) is now home to the first video gaming talents hub/laboratory in Nigeria; Gamr Lab.
Gamr Lab is situated on the premises of the UNILAG Guest Houses, Akoka, it is a state-of-the-art Video Games Development and E-sports training facility developed to train and empower young Nigerians and Africans with digital skills needed to thrive in the global video gaming and e-sports industry.
Speaking at the formal opening of the facility on Thursday, March 20, 2025, the acting Director of the Innovation and Technology Management Office (ITMO), UNILAG, Dr. Olayinka Adewumi who represented the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development Services), Professor Ayodele Atsenuwa, described the project as a testament of the dynamic relationship of the University, the French Embassy in Nigeria (Ambassade De France Au Nigeria), the National Sports Commission (NSC), American multinational technology company; HP and 3D computer graphics game engine; Unreal Engine.
She pointed out that “the new Gamr Lab adds to a list of technology and innovation hubs in UNILAG which are all targeted at building capacities and equipping young minds with digital tech skills, discovering and honing digital talents as well as grooming innovative ideas into real time solutions while fostering collaborations across all STEM (i.e. Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) fields”.
According to Dr. Adewumi, the Gamr Lab, in line with other benefits, facilitate the birth of a generation of video developers in Africa from the current crop of video game consumers.
In her remarks, the Chief Executive Officer/Co-founder of Gamr; Eniola Edun said the choice of UNILAG as home to the lab was informed by the University’s strong technology driven faculty, prestige and track record of integrity.
She gave thumbs up to the UNILAG Management for the thorough and extensive understanding and warm embrace of the vision and mission of the project, which further emphasizes the place of reputable ivory towers such as UNILAG, in building a thriving video gaming industry in Nigeria.
The tech-preneur said the Lab will begin its training with 150 trainees, mostly UNILAG students, and hopes to successfully groom not less than 5,000 innovators in the arts and technology of Video Games/ E-sports Development with the next 12 months.
She said “the motive is to build games that are African made and globally played”.
The Gamr Lab, according to the Head of Programmes, Gamr Studio, Ayodeji Daniel, will serve as an innovation hub that will train game developers, designers, and e-sports entrepreneurs, equipping them with the tools to transition into economically viable careers in the global digital creative economy thereby transforming video gaming and e-sports in Nigeria and Africa.