Millions of young Nigerians play mobile games every day. On 10 October 2026, more than 50 of the best of them spent the day learning how to build those games themselves.
The third edition of Game Changers Fest took place at the Carven Gaming Arena in Lagos. KingMakers hosted it with Reach Consulting, under the theme Mobile Games: From Player to Creator.
Who took part
The participants were university students aged 18 to 22, each selected for their skill in e-gaming. They came from schools across Nigeria, including the University of Lagos, the University of Ilorin, and the Lagos State University.
A day of building
The day opened with a hands-on training session on mobile game development, led by industry professionals. It covered the fundamentals of designing and building a game.
Students then split into teams of six. Each team had the rest of the day to turn an idea into a working prototype, putting their creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving to the test.
Pitch day
Every team presented its prototype to a panel of judges, who chose the three best. The winners shared ₦1.9 million in cash prizes: ₦1,000,000 for first place, ₦550,000 for second, and ₦350,000 for third.
“In just one day, we watched them go from learning the basics to presenting working prototypes. That is what happens when talent meets opportunity.” — Gossy Ukanwoke, Managing Director, KingMakers
More than code
For Gossy, the teamwork mattered as much as the technical skills. “Building in teams taught participants something just as valuable as the technical skills: how to collaborate, share ideas, and deliver under pressure,” he said. “These are the skills the future of work demands, and we are proud to help develop them here in Lagos.”
Why it matters
Game Changers Fest is part of KingMakers’ wider commitment to youth development and digital inclusion. It aims to close the gap between talent and access by opening doors to careers in technology, gaming, and digital entrepreneurship.
The programme sits alongside other KingMakers youth initiatives, including the E-Sports Academy Kids Programme with Carven Gaming and Reach.