Firm empowers over 150 youth through tech, innovation

KingMakers has expanded its push into Nigeria’s grassroots digital economy, training more than 150 young people in Abia State through its Game Changers Fest 2026, a programme designed to connect talent with opportunities in technology, gaming, and entrepreneurship.

The initiative, delivered in partnership with Reach Consulting, offered hands-on learning, competitions and industry exposure, reflecting growing private-sector interest in Nigeria’s youth-driven innovation ecosystem. Participants were trained and assessed across three segments—game development, esports and business pitching—highlighting the commercial potential of skills emerging around the digital economy.

The Abia edition builds on earlier interventions by the firm, including a Lagos programme that attracted over 500 participants and its involvement in the Enugu State Tech Festival, signalling a broader strategy to deepen engagement beyond Nigeria’s major commercial hubs.

Nine winners emerged from the Abia competition, receiving cash prizes ranging from N150,000 to N500,000, as organisers sought to incentivise innovation and practical application of skills. The event was hosted in collaboration with the Abia State Tech Hub, underscoring a growing alignment between private firms and subnational institutions in developing local tech ecosystems.

A panel session at the event examined whether technology represents a viable long-term career path for young Nigerians, with industry stakeholders pointing to rising opportunities in digital services, gaming and online entrepreneurship despite broader economic headwinds.

Gossy Ukanwoke, managing director of KingMakers, said the programme targets a persistent gap between talent and access. According to him, many young Nigerians possess the skills and ambition required to thrive in the digital economy but lack exposure to pathways that can translate those abilities into income and careers.

“Game Changers Fest was created to bridge that gap by exposing young people to what is possible within the digital economy,” Ukanwoke said, adding that the firm aims to create scalable platforms for skill development and participation in the future of work.

Solomon Nnana, chief executive of Reach Consulting, said the collaboration demonstrates how targeted interventions can unlock innovation at the community level, particularly as Nigeria seeks to diversify its economy through technology-led growth.

KingMakers said it plans to expand the programme to other regions, positioning the initiative as part of a wider effort to broaden access to digital skills and entrepreneurship opportunities nationwide.