ATIKU PLEDGES GAMING SUPPORT AFTER LAGOS LIFE RAISES $500,000

Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has pledged to support Nigeria’s gaming industry following a reported $500,000 investment in Lagos Life, a Nigerian browser game.

In a post on X on Monday, Atiku said the funding showed that young Nigerian developers could build an entertainment industry capable of competing globally.

He outlined plans to support e-sports leagues and tournaments, encourage investment in gaming infrastructure and help local developers through grants, business incubators and platforms for reaching international markets.

“Our gamers are not wasting time; they are building an industry,” he wrote.

His comments followed a report that Vatar Inc., the company behind Lagos Life, secured $500,000 in angel funding at a $10 million valuation, just three days after its incorporation.

The company’s co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Shalom Rayhamen, attributed the quick fundraising process to strong investor interest and the game’s rapid growth.

Rayhamen said the team considered investors’ offers and completed the round quickly so it could return its attention to developing the product.

Atiku described the game’s early success as a sign of the opportunities within Nigeria’s digital entertainment sector, arguing that local talent deserves the backing needed to turn creative ideas into sustainable businesses.