ANNOUNCEMENT
From Imo State to Lagos and Across Nigeria — Discovering the Next Generation of African Game Creators
August 14, 2026
The Nigeria–Japan Game Creator Contest is entering an exciting new phase.
Following growing interest and positive response from young creators, the organisers have announced an extension of the application period, giving more talented Nigerians the opportunity to participate and showcase their ideas.
Originally scheduled to close at the end of August 2026, with results announced at the end of September, the contest will now follow this new schedule:
The extension represents more than additional time for applications. It marks an important step in expanding the initiative beyond its starting point in Imo State, with plans to reach young creators in Lagos and across all states of Nigeria.
The initiative is being advanced through the collaboration and support of the Imo State Ministry of Youth Development and Talent Hunt, the Bureau for Illicit Drugs Monitoring and Narcotics, Ebelebe Trading and Investment Company Ltd., and Japanese entertainment and game company GigBeing Inc., Tokyo.
The Nigeria–Japan Game Creator Contest is more than a competition.
Through jnaija.com, the initiative aims to discover talented young Nigerian creators and connect their creativity with the knowledge, experience, and development expertise of Japan's game and entertainment industry.
Nigeria has one of the world's youngest and most dynamic populations, with a rapidly growing generation of creators developing skills in gaming, technology, digital entertainment, animation, and other creative industries.
The vision is to create opportunities for these young talents to develop original games and intellectual property that can begin in Nigeria, grow across Africa, and ultimately reach audiences around the world.
From Imo State to Lagos.
From Nigeria to Africa.
And from Africa to the world.
The extended contest period will provide additional time to engage universities, game developers, digital creators, technology communities, creative hubs, and young entrepreneurs across Nigeria.
It also creates an opportunity to build stronger connections between Nigerian creators and Japanese game developers, mentors, and entertainment professionals, opening the door to knowledge exchange, collaboration, and future international opportunities.
As the initiative expands nationwide, jnaija.com will continue to share contest news, creator stories, development opportunities, and updates connecting the Nigerian and Japanese entertainment industries.
The search continues for the next generation of Nigerian game creators — young innovators with the imagination, talent, and determination to transform their ideas into globally recognised games and intellectual properties.
Nigeria has talent.
Africa has the audience.
The world is waiting for the next great idea.