Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy, revealed plans to rejuvenate Nigeria’s video game animation sector during the Xbox Developer Hangout organized by Microsoft in Lagos.
Musawa envisions integrating Nigerian movies, music, fashion, and culture into locally produced video games to boost employment opportunities for youth, with Microsoft collaboration essential for success.
She expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for establishing the Ministry, highlighting Nigeria’s creative potential to transform the billion-dollar gaming industry.
Microsoft’s Country Manager, Olatomiwa Williams, emphasized the organization’s commitment to empowering the industry, aligning with President Tinubu’s economic diversification agenda.
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With contributions from industry experts like Oluseye Soyode-Johnson, founder of NuConti, stressing the video game industry’s vast potential, the discussion delved into necessary tools, including those offered by Unreal Engine and the importance of storytelling to infuse culture into games.
Winston Ohunyon, Creative Director at Dimension II Games, emphasized the significance of careful storytelling to protect Nigeria’s identity, while Dooshima Anger, Founder of Dooshimagames, highlighted the need for increased collaboration and awareness for inclusivity in the video game industry. Bolaji Akingbade, CEO of Kucheza, underscored the importance of early intervention in secondary schools to enhance women’s representation in the sector.
“We must be careful about how the stories are relayed to protect our identity as a nation or a continent,” he said.
Also, Dooshima Anger, Founder of Dooshimagames, noted that to fully support inclusivity in the video game industry in Nigeria, more collaborations and awareness must be created.
‘need more intervention in the early Secondary School levels to influence active participation.’
