Gaming expo aims to spark tech renaissance in Nigeria

ABUJA, Nigeria –Tukur Manzo put on a virtual reality headset for the first time and found himself standing in the middle of a haunted house.

“This thing is scary,” Manzo said, as bats flew before him and thunder rumbled outside. He made several attempts to shield himself before finally yanking off the headset and coming back to reality.

“I knew it was fake, but it seemed too real,” he said, laughing. “I could hear the sounds. I could hear the doors open.”

Manzo and some 50 other people gathered in the spacious hall for the Gamerlympics event over the weekend. Several teams sat before computer screens playing the soccer game FIFA 16. Some played card games, while others danced along to “Uptown Funk” with a Nintendo Wii. A few others waited their turn with the virtual reality headset. The organizers said the event aimed to create more accessibility to technology with the hope of inspiring some Nigerian creations.

“It’s about gaming, but we’re slowly trying to bring Nigeria to it,” said Emeka Anyakora, who ran the virtual reality station. “The application is limitless, from teaching to architecture.”

Adeiza Badamasuiy, 26, started the events last August with his own gaming systems and a few friends after attending several technology conventions while studying in the United Kingdom. The events have grown to host more than 50 gamers and feature a lot more gadgets. Badamasuiy, a computer science graduate, said his passion for programming came mostly from games, and he hopes to give others a similar opportunity.

“I couldn’t have gotten there without it,” he said.

Players paid an $8 fee for an all-access pass at the event. The fee also covered registration for a final tournament, where participants could win prizes. With the downturn in the economy, the organizers worried fewer people would show up for the events. But that didn’t happen.

One attendee, Julius Tega Phido, said he wished he had his own virtual reality headset, but times are hard. The event offers an opportunity to still enjoy the gadgets at a cheaper rate and with more benefits.

“It’s a chance to relax, blow off some steam, and interact with other people,” Phido said.

While the event showcases a leisurely activity, the organizers said they are hoping to spark some innovation in the long run.

“The long-term strategy is to tap into the Nigerian creative community to start to create their own games,” said Sekina Badamasuiy, one of the organizers.