By Nnasom David

Experts have urged Nigeria to deepen investment in digital innovation and expand emerging sectors such as esports as part of efforts to address rising youth unemployment in the country.

In a statement, they noted that with a large youth population and persistent job scarcity, traditional employment channels alone are no longer sufficient to absorb the growing labour force.

According to them, the rapid rise of mobile technology, online platforms, and competitive gaming presents new opportunities for job creation, particularly for young Nigerians already active in digital spaces.

The experts added that a structured esports ecosystem could generate employment beyond gaming, including roles in event management, content creation, marketing, design, and digital media production.

While acknowledging challenges such as infrastructure gaps and limited funding, they argued that coordinated policy support and private-sector investment could unlock the sector’s potential.

They maintained that Nigeria’s expanding digital economy could become a key driver of employment if properly harnessed.