By Steve Oko

UMUAHIA – Abia State has taken a bold step toward becoming a major player in Nigeria’s fast-growing gaming industry, as youths across the state received specialized training aimed at turning digital gaming into viable careers.

The initiative, driven through a partnership between the Abia Tech Hub and leading gaming firm KingMakers, culminated in the maiden edition of the Game Changer Fest held in Umuahia, over the weekend.

It drew tech enthusiasts, gamers, and innovators from across the state.

At the event themed “Empowering the Next Generation of Innovators,” stakeholders said the programme is part of a broader strategy to position Abia as a hub for gaming, esports, and digital entrepreneurship.

Chief Executive Officer of BetKing and Managing Director of KingMakers, Godson Ukanwoke, said Abia was deliberately selected due to its large pool of talented and tech-savvy youths.

He noted that the festival, first launched in Lagos, was designed to build a thriving community of gamers and innovators while unlocking hidden potentials in young people.

“Gaming is no longer just entertainment. Just like traditional sports, it offers real career opportunities and livelihoods. This initiative will grow into a national platform,” Ukanwoke said.

Participants competed in multiple categories, with top-performing teams set to receive support to further develop their ideas into viable projects.

Ukanwoke further revealed that promising innovations from the event would be incubated through the Abia Tech Hub, with access to funding, mentorship, and broader exposure.

Speaking also, Chief Executive Officer of Abia Tech Hub, ThankGod Kalu, described gaming as a rapidly expanding global industry with huge economic potential.

He stressed the need to shift public perception, noting that gaming is increasingly becoming a cornerstone of digital enterprise and future sports.

“We want our people to see gaming beyond recreation. Abia has what it takes to become a major force in the gaming and tech ecosystem in the near future,” Kalu said.

In his remarks, Founder of REACH Marketing and Advertising Company, Solomon Nnanna, said the initiative was designed to expose youths not only to gaming but also to its business value chain.

He called for a cultural shift in how gaming is perceived, likening its evolution to that of the music industry.

“Gaming is no longer a pastime; it is a pathway to economic empowerment. Just like music, it is now a serious business,” he said.

The festival also featured panel discussions where experts examined the intersection of technology, gaming, and entrepreneurship, as well as breakout sessions where participants developed innovative ideas for potential commercialization.

Participants described the Game Changer Fest as a strategic move to deepen digital skills, drive innovation, and create new economic opportunities for youths in Abia, as the state positions itself at the forefront of Nigeria’s emerging gaming industry.