By Osa Amadi

A not-for-profit organisation, Gaming Safe (GamSafe) Initiative, is organising a summit in Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, to protect young people from harm occasioned by gambling.

The summit, scheduled for June 19, 2025 at the Velodrome National Stadium, is titled “FCT’s Young People’s Gambling Harm Prevention Summit 2025” with the theme, “Building a strong and sustainable gambling harm prevention ecosystem for young people through societal & policy reforms”.

Participants in the summit include public and private secondary schools in the FCT, civic & civil organisations, youths, stakeholders, religious institutions, parents, etc.

Speaking at a press conference recently in Abuja to announce the summit, Barrister Immaculata Amaka Mbaso, Founder/CEO of Gamsafe Initiative, said the aim of the summit is to “raise awareness about underage gambling and safer gambling practices as well as share best practices for preventing underage gambling.”

She said besides fostering collaboration with industry stakeholders to promote underage gambling prevention, the summit will discuss effective support services for individuals, especially the under-aged with gambling problems and how families, schools and the community can support.

According to Mbaso, “the summit will bring stakeholders, students, teachers, parents, youths, etc., together at the venue to discuss ways and strategies for preventing under-age gambling and equipping families, schools and community on what to watch out for and ways to curb and prevent this often over-looked but dangerous vice that has the tendency to co-occur with other vices like drugs and alcohol.

“It is also aimed at finding ways to support young people affected by gambling-related harm through informed evidence-based policies and regulations.”

To combat this fast growing menace, GamSafe plans to partner and collaborate with government bodies, educational institutions, religious institutions, corporate bodies and well-meaning individuals to help students and young people improve learning outcomes to better combat the harmful effects of underage gambling through active school programs.