Nigeria will generate no less than N1 billion monthly from the newly launched Nigeria National Games (NNG), the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) has said.
The commission said it hopes to achieve this through its pragmatic approach to the game launched by the federal government in Abuja on Monday, in partnership with Elrae Technologies Company.
Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Sen. George Akume, said initiative had been in the works since the enactment of the National Lottery Act in 2005 and the establishment of the NLRC.
He said he revived the idea and had been working on it alongside other stakeholder since his appointment, in order to harness the most important benefits of the national games, which is employment opportunities in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s directives to all MDAs to initiate programmes that generate employment to our teeming youths.
“Most concerning is the proliferation of unregulated foreign games in Nigeria and export of revenues due to heavy patronage by Nigerians.
“It is apparent that Nigeria needs its own national lottery brand, ” he said, adding that a national game would reposition the domestic lottery industry, better secure Nigerian players, enhance operational performance and deliver greater revenues to the government.
Director-General NLRC, Mr Lanre Gbajabiamila, said the project, though had taken a long time to manifest, would bring great impact to the national economy.
Also speaking, Director-General of the National Lottery Authority (NLA), Ghana, Mr Samuel Awuku, expressed confidence in the game and readiness to assist Nigeria to achieve its best.
Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, who launched the game, said it was an avenue for the government to raise vast sums of money for good causes, to improve communities through infrastructure development.