Blend of game, culture and life for youths

Blend of game, culture and life for youths

It was a blend of gaming, culture and everyday life at Gamr Lab, University of Lagos, Akoka, as young creators showcased their first playable Roblox projects after completing the "Build Africa on Roblox" programme.

One of the games presented at the graduation showcase reflected the Lagos transport system, as the organisers said they are using games to project African culture, tell local stories and showcase life across Nigeria and other African cities.

Two teams unveiled games they built from scratch. One of the games, "Afro Driver" captures the fast-paced and often chaotic nature of transportation in Lagos, while the other, "Spirit Runner", takes players on a culturally inspired adventure. Both projects are fully playable on Roblox.

The first cohort of the "Build Africa on Roblox" programme is funded by the UK-Nigeria Tech Hub, an initiative of the Digital Access Programme (DAP) under the UK Government's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). The programme was delivered at Gamr Lab, with support from the French Embassy in Nigeria across Gamrstudios' programmes.

Speaking with our correspondent, Program Lead and Game Director at Gamr Lab, Gideon Uwem, said the programme is designed to create opportunities for young Africans to thrive in the gaming industry.

"Gaming has gone beyond just esports because there is so much more it can do. Today, games are helping to shape culture, tell stories and preserve identity. If you look at countries in Europe and Asia, they are using games to tell their own stories. We believe Africa should be doing the same," he said.

"We are currently building a game to help tackle drug and substance abuse among young Nigerians. The game starts from Lagos and explores how drugs find their way into people's lives, the choices they make and the different paths to recovery.

"Gaming can shape culture, create jobs, impact young people and solve real problems. Esports is just one part of the gaming ecosystem."

One of the graduating students, Ifeoluwa Ogunmuyiwa, a Computer Science and Mathematics graduate of Covenant University, said joining the programme was one of the best things that happened to her this year.

"I am grateful for the opportunity to learn with my team and successfully launch the game, "Afro Driver". Seeing people play something we created from scratch has been an amazing experience," she said.

A guest at the graduation ceremony, Mobola Akingbala of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), said it was exciting to see young people coming together to build games that are not only for entertainment but also create solutions.

She added that LSETF looks forward to supporting the next cohort of the Build Africa on Roblox programme at Gamr Lab this summer.