SANWO-OLU SEEKS PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP TO DEVELOP GAMING SECTOR

Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has advanced the need for collaboration with the private sector to further develop the gaming sector, maintaining that good governance is driven by public, private sector partnerships.

Sanwo-Olu spoke at the 7th Annual Sports Betting West Africa Summit held at the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos.

Represented at the event by the Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Rabiu Olowo, the Governor maintained that Lagos is the hub for investment opportunities and the 6th largest economy in Africa, pointing out that its huge population and demography of mostly young people, who are technology-savvy, portends great prospects for the gaming sector.

His words: “The fact that Lagos State provides a variable platform for practitioners, regulators, industry experts and other gaming stakeholders within West Africa shows there are greater opportunities in Lagos State, which is undoubtedly the next investment destination for the e-Sport ecosystem”.

Describing the theme of the event: “Capturing Investment Opportunities” as apt, the Governor charged the organisers of the summit to ensure global best practices in the sector by giving back to society through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

He also advised practitioners in the gaming sector to provide a transparent workable policy for Lagos State and Nigeria in form of a regulatory framework for the gaming sector, revealing that Lagos is one of the first States to legalise sports betting because of its economic benefits such as employment opportunities and wide acceptability by the people.

The Governor, therefore, implored the organisers to consider how West Africa can leverage on the enormous economic opportunities in the e-Sport to change the story of the economic downturn characterised by poverty and social menace in the West Africa region.