Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education has taken a decisive step toward positioning Lagos as a continental leader in esports and digital education, following the signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with EStars.
The agreement, formalised on March 16, 2026, at the Institute of Directors in London, highlights Lagos State’s growing ambition to integrate esports into mainstream education and youth development.
At the centre of this initiative is a bold vision: beginning in April 2026, esports-driven educational programmes will be rolled out to an estimated 3 million students across Lagos State. The programme is designed to go far beyond gaming, focusing on equipping young people with critical future-ready skills such as digital literacy, numeracy, leadership, communication, creativity, and strategic thinking.
The MOU was signed by Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun and Mags Byrne, establishing a minimum three-year commitment to building a sustainable esports education ecosystem across the state.
The significance of the partnership was reinforced by the presence of high-level stakeholders, including Babajide Sanwo-Olu, whose administration continues to demonstrate strong backing for innovation-driven youth initiatives.
Also in attendance were key figures from both Nigeria and the United Kingdom, including Florence Eshalomi, Richard Montgomery, and representatives from the UK’s Department for Business and Trade. Their presence underscores the international relevance of Lagos State’s esports ambitions and the growing recognition of Africa as a key player in the global gaming ecosystem.
This partnership is not just an educational programme, it is a strategic move by Lagos State to build a future workforce aligned with the digital economy, using esports as a gateway to technology, innovation, and global competitiveness.
With this initiative, Lagos is setting a precedent for other African governments, demonstrating how esports can be leveraged as a tool for education, empowerment, and economic growth.