The Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Mrs Hannatu Musawa has pledged the determination of Federal Government to collaborate with stakeholders to reposition the video game animation industry in the country.
She stated this at a forum with youths who are involved in development of indigenous video games, tagged “XBOX Dev Hangout”.
The forum was held at the Microsoft office in Ikoyi,Lagos.
The Minister said, in line with the plan of the federal government to reposition the video game and animation industry, Nigerian movies, music, fashion and culture would be the dominant contents for producing local video games.
“We want to look at the kind of innovation we can achieve through gaming, with the huge talent we have in the sector. I want the gaming space transformed and I know with collaborations we can achieve a lot.
“I perceive Nigerians as the most creative beings who will transform the gaming industry, the billion-dollar industry, with help and support from government.
“We want to see a situation where our indigenous movies, peculiar fashion sense, music and elements of our culture will serve as contents of our locally produced video games,” she said.
Mrs Musawa said the industry holds employment opportunities for the youth hence the need to collaborate with Microsoft.
According to the Minister, the working document has already been developed but needs input from Microsoft.
Impressed with the facilities she saw during an inspection at Microsoft office, the Minister promised to support in whatever capacity to actualise the vision thanked President Bola Tinubu for creating the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy.Country Manager, Microsoft, Olatomiwa Williams, noted that the organisation was committed to empowering everyone with the needed tools to grow in the industry and that it would leverage all opportunities to achieve President Tinubu’s agenda for economic diversification.
“Partnering with the Federal Government is a thing of delight for us, young Nigerians deserve every right to thrive, we are creating an inclusive industry also for women to thrive.
“Microsoft has been in existence for over 20 years and I can say that Nigerians have been contributing to our solution areas,”.
One of the Developers, Mr Winston Ohunyon, who is the Creative Director, Dimension II Games noted noted that infusing culture into video games could be achieved through storytelling, stressing that powerful video games could be produced using the Nigeria’s culture, arts and artifacts.
“The tools for this description can be seen in the plot, setting, theme, characterisation, composition, dialogue, story and all.
“We must be careful about how the stories are relayed to protect our identity as a nation or a continent,” he said.
Winston who produced a video game titled , Legends of Orisha, however solicited more support from government to fully develop the multi billion naira industry.
Another developer, Dooshima Anger, opined that to fully support inclusivity in the video game industry in Nigeria, more collaborations and awareness must be created.
Bolaji Akingbade, Chief Executive Officer of Kucheza, said, “I can see a lot more parallel industry when we talk of women representation in the video game industry.
“We need more intervention in the early Secondary School levels to influence active participation.
“The hangout which was the third quarter edition brought together youths in their numbers, who had quality discussions and photo sessions with the Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy.